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OCTOBER 23, 2008 – November is Osteoporosis Month, and Osteoporosis Canada volunteers and staff across the
country are getting ready to spread the word about osteoporosis. With this month’s theme of “Stand tall,
speak out for your bones,” we are hoping to engage all Canadians to take charge of their bone health.
Osteoporosis: the silent thief
Osteoporosis is not just a woman’s disease: in Canada, 1.4 million people have it. In individuals aged 50
and older, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a
low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This condition leads to greater bone fragility and increases
the risk of fractures, mainly in the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis is known as the silent thief because
the bone loss occurs without symptoms.
Osteoporosis Canada is committed to helping individuals reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis and
to ensuring all Canadians have access to osteoporosis diagnosis and the best treatment for osteoporosis. Two
components that are critical to achieving this goal are public access to bone mineral density testing and
access to medications. Osteoporosis Canada’s first national Report Card, due for release in November of this
year, looks at how well Canadians are able to access these two elements of osteoporosis care through the
publicly-funded health care system. Be sure to watch CTV's Canada AM on Monday, November 24th for an
exclusive launch of Osteoporosis Canada’s first national Report Card.
We invite interested media members to help us spread the word: visit our website’s media room to review a
variety of press-ready material.
About Osteoporosis Canada
Osteoporosis Canada, a registered charity, is the only national organization serving people who have, or
are at risk of, osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and
communities in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis by providing medically accurate information
to patients, health professionals and the public. 1.4 million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. One in four
women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50 has osteoporosis. However, the disease can strike at
any age. The cost of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it causes is estimated to be $1.3 billion each
year in Canada alone. Long term, hospital and chronic care account for the majority of these costs. A
national voluntary Board of Directors governs the organization. A Scientific Advisory Council made up of
medical and scientific experts from across the country provides guidance in all medical matters.
For more information, visit the Osteoporosis Canada website at www.osteoporosis.ca or call Kirk DeMatas,
Communications Assistant, 416-696-2663, ext. 290/1-800-463-6842.
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