Health Promotion + Management

QUEENSLAND, 2002

Current figures indicate that over 6.6 million Australians have low bone density, 1.2 million with bones structurally fragile enough to be classified as osteoporosis.  Osteoporotic fractures are now a major public health problem in Australia, with as many as 4 out of 5 people not realising they are at risk until they have a breakage.  Unlike many other commonly occuring diseases there are no symptoms and no single cause.  Many factors can contribute to a reduction in bone mass including lifestyle, nutrition, genetics, hormones, activity, medications, smoking and drinking.

The Silent Epidemic

In order to address the increasing rate of fractures, estimated to reach 1 fracture every 3.5 minutes by 2021, Osteoporosis Australia aims at disease prevention as well as chronic condition management.  Kwokka helped deliver programmes raising public awareness and provide education in schools, and developed Lifestyle Management Guides.  Nicola was interviewed on Sunrise television and by Women's Day magazine as an ambassador for Healthy Bones Week.