From a medical perspective, Osteoporosis could be termed as a disease in which bones become fragile and weak. This leads to an increased risk of fractures. People with osteoporosis can experience a fracture even after a slight bump or a fall from standing height.
Fractures due to osteoporosis occur most commonly at sites such as the wrist, upper arm, pelvis, hip and spine, and can result in severe pain, significant disability and even death.
At a global level, Osteoporosis causes more that 8.9 million fractures annually. This correlates to an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds, with one in three women and one in five men over 50 suffering from an osteoporotic fracture.
While the incidence of osteoporosis is greater than other diseases, it can be prevented and treated. Regular exercise and good nutrition, including getting the recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D, are essential for building and maintaining bone strength throughout the lifespan. Current Osteoporosis treatments have reduced fractures by 30 to 50 % among patients across the world.
World Osteoporosis Day (WOD)
World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) is celebrated annually on October 20th. It is a year-long campaign. WOD focuses on raising awareness of the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) organize the event annually. For over 35 years, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) focuses on preventing osteoporosis and promoting awareness about bone health.
The campaign is accompanied by various community events and local campaigns by different osteoporosis patient societies from around the world with activities in over 90 countries.
CaC-1000 PLUS creates awareness on WOD
Every year on October 20, CaC-1000 PLUS creates an awareness campaign on WOD. It provides information regarding the importance of strong bones as well as guidelines for preventing Osteoporosis.
This year, CaC-1000 PLUS held NutriLive sessions with Zoha Matin and Nusrat Hidayatullah on prominent social media groups Soul Sisters Pakistan and Karachi Chefs at Home.
CaC-1000 PLUS took the initiative to educate the audience regarding bone health. It also focused on importance of calcium intake and how to stay healthy and strong.
The activity was followed by launching a World Osteoporosis Day Filter. Various prominent influencers used the filter of CaC-1000 plus to drive further awareness for the cause.
Prominent showbiz celebrities such as Ayeza Khan, Iqra Aziz, Yasra Rizvi, Hajra Yamin and Ayesha Omar also joined the movement. On 20th October, the celebrities launched a digital Cyclathon. The celebrities shared their cycling videos to spread awareness regarding WOD.
They also illustrated why it is essential to have strong bones. Moreover, they strongly emphasized on the fact that calcium deficiency is one of the leading factors to someone developing osteoporosis. By the time it’s diagnosed, it’s too late to treat it.
The celebrities also asked their fans to raise awareness, adopt a healthy routine and take regular calcium supplements. They specifically asked their female followers not to be a part of the 51% of women globally who suffer from calcium deficiency.
Influencers including Pakistanis living abroad also joined the movement. Some of these renowned influencers included Hira Atique, Hemayal Atique, Mariam Hosein, Faiza Saleem, Tamania, Hunaina Rasool, Anushae Khan and Waliya Najib.
Here is the campaign round up video that will further explain the WOD awareness campaign of CaC-1000 for 2020.
CaC-1000 PLUS asks Pakistani citizens to raise awareness about Osteoporosis
Pakistani citizens should join this initiative by CaC-1000 PLUS. As a citizen, it is important for us to follow the guidelines that will help in creating strong bones. It will also help us to prevent bone various related diseases such as Osteoporosis.
By eliminating the care gap through timely assessment and treatment, health professionals, health authorities and hospitals can work together to reduce the human and socioeconomic burden caused by Osteoporosis.
