How many carers may also be undiagnosed for osteoporosis?

Bones weaken naturally as people age, but factors such as menopause, taking certain medications and poor nutrition can hasten this process and lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that weakens bones, leaving people – especially older women – at risk of a fragility fracture.

Across Europe, almost 70% of women over 70 who have osteoporosis have not been diagnosed, and even after a fracture 60–85% of women do not receive treatment to prevent subsequent fractures from occurring.

Fragility fractures are often life-changing events, bringing pain, isolation and dependency. What were once simple, everyday tasks can become difficult or even impossible. The reduction in quality of life and fear of falling can also place a significant toll on the mental health of patients and their informal carers.

Eurocarers contributed to this Osteoporosis policy toolkit developed by the Health Policy Partnership which provides recommendations, measures and building blocks for implementing effective and comprehensive policy responses to osteoporosis and fragility fractures at the EU, national and regional levels.

To access the policy toolkit and several country-specific profiles from BE, DE, ES, FI, FR, IE, IT, NL, RO, and UK, please click here.