World Osteoporosis Day 2025 Check Date, History, Timeline, Facts & Significance of World Osteoporosis Day

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens your bones so much that they can break while doing simple things like bending, coughing, or a minor fall. In a patient with osteoporosis, the bones break in areas like the spine, wrist, hip, etc. International Day of Osteoporosis is celebrated every year to inform people about this illness and how it can be prevented. It also talks about the Osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

In many cases, Osteoporosis causes disability, pain, as well as loss of mobility, which impact people adversely. Let us take a look at some of the facts related to Osteoporosis.

Some Osteoporosis Facts

• Osteoporosis makes your bones so fragile that they break even if you bump into someone, have a minor fall or any sudden movement like sneezing and coughing
• Globally, one out of three women 50 years and above suffer from this condition. For men, the count is one out of five in the same age group who suffer from osteoporotic fractures
• These fractures can be deadly and might cause disability and pain for a long time
• Consumption of a diet that is rich in vitamin D and calcium is needed for bone strengthening

History of World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day is an annual event supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). The foundation works towards educating people about this bone disease that makes bones so fragile that they break even at the slightest fall or sneeze. This makes it a life-threatening ailment that causes severe pain of breaking bones.

On October 20, 1996, a campaign started by the National Osteoporosis Society in the UK and supported by the European Commission established the concept of World Osteoporosis Day. From 1997 onwards, the event has been organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

United Nations contributed as a co-sponsor of the event in 1998 and 1999, and the latter year also saw the start of a featured theme to celebrate the event annually.

It might interest you to know that before 1994, osteoporosis was not regarded as a major illness. However, the involvement of the two major organizations – the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (EFFO) (established in 1987) and the International Federation of Societies on Skeletal Diseases (IFSSD) (established in 1995) – in educating people about the disease led to the creation of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

Time of World Osteoporosis Day 

1996	The National Osteoporosis Society observed the event by raising awareness about the disease on 20th October in the United Kingdom
1998	The European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the International Federation of Societies on Skeletal Diseases came together to form the International Osteoporosis Foundation
2013	The IOF started a global campaign called “Capture the Fracture” to focus on preventing secondary bone fractures.
2014	IOF launched an osteoporosis awareness campaign with an e-newsletter called ‘Love Your Bones’

How to be a Part of World Osteoporosis Day?

There are many ways to be a part of World Osteoporosis Day events and activities. You can start with the following:

• On the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day, take a bone density test to check the health of your bones
• You can also look for information on the risk factors of osteoporosis diseases and the ways to prevent them
• On this day, you can promise yourself to stick to a healthy diet with an ample number of vitamins and to make a habit of exercising regularly to keep yourself strong and free of fracture
• The occasion can also be used to spread the word about the importance of bone health via social media, group conversations, blog posts, etc. By educating people about the risks of the illness, you can contribute to their long and healthy lives.

Why Observing World Osteoporosis Day is Important?

• It is important to observe the occasion to make people understand the risks of the disease. Awareness of the risk factors will help in osteoporosis prevention
• World Osteoporosis Day is an occasion to understand the roles played by the bones in your body and why and how to keep them strong
• On this day, you can interact with medical professionals on how to strengthen the bone and other preventive measures
• This can also be an occasion to learn about the various food items that are good for enhancing your bone density
• You can also seek knowledge on the daily practices to follow for a healthy life

6 Steps to Keep Your Bones Healthy and Fracture-free 

1. Practice regular exercise to keep bones and muscles moving and to strengthen muscles
2. Make sure to have a diet rich in nutrients for bone health, like calcium, vitamin D, protein, etc.
3. Also, safe exposure to sunshine is important for intake of vitamin D
4. Stay away from negative lifestyle habits like smoking, excessive drinking, etc.
5. Read about the risk factors and bring them to the attention of your doctor, if any
6. Make sure to get tested and treated if you experience any risk factors to stay protected against fractures