Today is World Osteoporosis Day, and this year’s theme, “It’s Unacceptable!”, highlights the need to close the global care gap for bone health.

Often called the “silent disease”, osteoporosis develops without warning signs, and many only discover they have it after a fracture.

Bone Health New Zealand says one in three women and one in five men will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.

Hip fractures are especially serious.

Each year, around 3,700 New Zealanders break a hip, half never regain full mobility, and a quarter die within a year.

As we age, our bones naturally lose density and strength.

That process speeds up with hormonal changes, certain medical conditions, or lifestyle factors like poor diet, smoking, and inactivity.

For Coasties, today’s a timely reminder to check in on your bone health, encourage older family members to do the same, and build habits that keep bones strong—more movement, calcium, and sunshine all help.

You can take a free online bone health test at knowyourbones.org.nz

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