Susan poured her heart into her career as an elementary school teacher. She embraced the creativity of the role, coming up with hands-on activities and games that kept her classroom full of energy. But everything changed when Susan started experiencing persistent, debilitating back pain. A bone density test revealed that she had severe osteoporosis that had weakened her spine, leading to painful compression fractures. Susan now reflects on how things might have been different if she’d had more information earlier.
The Burden of Osteoporosis
Susan’s story is an all too common one. Many women do not know that they have osteoporosis until after they experience a fracture – and sometimes multiple fractures. Osteoporosis, often called a “silent disease,” impacts millions of people worldwide, often leaving a significant physical, emotional and economic toll in its wake.1,2 While its effects may not always be immediately visible, the consequences may be life-altering. Fractures from osteoporosis result in hospitalizations exceeding the rates of medical conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer.3 Yet, public awareness and understanding of the disease remain disproportionately low.
Once a person has experienced a fracture from osteoporosis, the risk of sustaining another fracture multiplies: postmenopausal women are five times more likely to face another bone break within just one year.4
Every 20 seconds in the U.S., a woman aged 55 or older suffers a fracture.5 And even if a fracture causes physical pain, the impact may not stop there. Fractures often result in hospitalization, a loss of independence, and a worry about burdening loved ones.
“I feel like prevention is the key,” Susan remarked. “I wish more information was available to all people so that they know what the risk factors are, and they know what to be looking for.”
The Power of Collaboration
As the proverb goes, “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” This wisdom underscores the efforts of the Osteoporosis Action Network (OAN), a collaborative of medical societies, patient advocacy organizations and industry, including Amgen. By uniting expertise, resources, and innovative thinking, OAN is tackling osteoporosis in a way that no single entity could achieve on its own.
“This multi-stakeholder partnership seeks to approach these challenges in innovative ways to reduce fracture risk for millions of women living with postmenopausal osteoporosis, especially fragility fracture and other orthopaedic patients,” said Sarah Murphy, senior director at the American Orthopaedic Association.
The power of collaboration lies in its ability to amplify impact, from increasing awareness and screening to emphasizing the importance of diagnosis and treatment for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. These combined efforts not only support individuals currently living with osteoporosis but also aim to reduce the incidence of fractures for future generations.
A Bold Goal for a Stronger Future
Each year, approximately 2 million fractures occur in the U.S. as a direct result of osteoporosis.6 Without significant intervention, this number is projected to increase dramatically – from 1.9 million annual fractures in 2018 to 3.2 million by 2040 – a 68% increase.2
Recognizing this growing crisis, OAN has united around an ambitious and inspiring goal: to prevent three million fractures by 2033. This bold vision serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders, from medical professionals to policymakers, to implement actions that reduce fracture risk and improve bone health.
"Our hope with this goal is to help create a world free from fracture-related suffering. By improving recognition and treatment of these silent fractures, we can alleviate the pain and limitations that osteoporosis imposes on millions of patients," said Rita Roy, MD, chief executive officer of the National Spine Health Foundation (NSHF). "At NSHF, we are particularly focused on addressing the spine, where osteoporotic fractures occur most frequently yet are often overlooked and underdiagnosed."
The goal emphasizes the need for early identification of women at high risk of fractures and for effective treatment strategies to be more widely available and accessible.
Join the Movement for Better Bone Health
The fight against osteoporosis cannot be won overnight, nor can it be achieved by a single group alone. It is a shared responsibility that demands collaboration, urgency and bold goals. OAN and its partners are dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and mobilizing efforts to meet the bold goal of preventing fractures on a massive scale.
“We are proud to stand alongside our partners with an aim to transform the future for millions of people living with osteoporosis and their loved ones,” said Poonam Majhu, marketing director at Amgen.
Watch the video below to learn more about OAN’s mission. If you are a healthcare professional, we invite you to visit FractureCareGap.com for more information.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteoporosis. Last reviewed December 2022. National Institutes of Health. https://www.niams.nih.gov/healthtopics/osteoporosis
- Lewiecki EM, Ortendahl JD, Vanderpuye-Orgle J, et al. Healthcare Policy Changes in Osteoporosis Can Improve Outcomes and Reduce Costs in the United States. JBMR Plus. May 2019
- Singer et al, Mayo Clin Proc. January 2015;90(1):53-62
- van Geel TA, van Helden S, Geusens PP, Winkens B, Dinant GJ. Clinical subsequent fractures cluster in time after first fractures. Ann Rheum Dis. 2009;68(1):99-102. doi:10.1136/ard.2008.092775
- McClung MR, et al. Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: The 2021 position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2021;28(9):973-997
- Dempster DW. Osteoporosis and the burden of osteoporosis-related fractures. Am J Manag Care. 2011;17 Suppl 6:S164-S169.
