Survey: Osteoporosis patients feel their condition is neglected by health authorities

[Mark_ABH]

Here's a report on the very interesting results of a survey conducted by global pharmaceutical company UCB* on the impact of osteoporosis on women age 60+ from 11 European countries. Nearly two-thirds agree that osteoporosis is being neglected, and 83% believe their countries' health authorities should be doing more to prioritize osteoporosis care. Furthermore, 77% of these women agree that more attention would be paid to osteoporosis care if more people younger than 60 suffered from the condition.

finance.yahoo.com/news/ucb-...

We hear from many patients that they don't feel they get enough time and attention from their health care providers to deal with their osteoporosis. What do you think? Do you agree that osteoporosis care doesn't get enough attention in your country? Do you agree that it's not taken seriously enough because it's an "old ladies' disease"?

*UCB is a corporate partner of American Bone Health and occasionally provides unrestricted funding to support American Bone Health's programs and services. American Bone Health found this survey by browsing daily Google News results and is not coordinating with UCB to publicize the research.

[HeronNS]

I think the neglect is the failure to teach younger adults how to maintain healthy bones, in the same way we have anti smoking, heart and stroke awareness, signs of cancer, we should also be shown how to eat and exercise right for the sake of our skeletons.

And yes, I suspect it's because it's perceived as a disease of aged women.

[Mark_ABH in reply to HeronNS]

This is why American Bone Health is making a priority to develop programs and campaigns to target the earlier part of the lifespan and teach children and teens to take care of their bones. After all, 80+% of your bone mass has been developed by age 20 or so.

[lawdog]

Mark, not certain about the USA and the amount of medical attention is paid to OP prevention and treatment. The advertisements by meds are numerous, but don't think women rely on them....but maybe discuss their possibilities with their gyns. My private gyns have been checking my bone density since my 40s as my mother and grandmother had the symptoms. Same situation with my sisters. But it really is up to the individual, not much US supported materials, etc. seen in any of the my gyn offices. And other MD visits last amount 4 minutes after the MD actually talks with me. (I time each of my MDs from the time they actually are with me.) Would not have known that rhuematologists were the experts on op had not another MD in the university medical school health group referred me to him. That made a very significant and proactive care difference in my care. My gyn never had anyone on Forteo before me, and my results were so positive that he has other women referred to rhuematologists now.