It’s Unacceptable: Global Call to Prioritise Bone Health as Osteoporosis Hits 500 Million Worldwide

World Osteoporosis Day is observed globally on October 20 to raise awareness about osteoporosis. This “silent” bone disease weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, especially among the elderly and postmenopausal women.

The 2025 theme, “It’s Unacceptable!”, calls attention to the urgent need for better prevention, diagnosis, and care of osteoporosis, urging individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to take early action to protect bone health.

Across the world, medical organisations and advocates are hosting educational campaigns, screening camps, and digital outreach to encourage bone health checks, nutritious diets, regular exercise, and timely treatment, highlighting that osteoporosis can often be prevented and managed if addressed early

Here are the latest key facts and statistics about osteoporosis for 2025:

Global Prevalence and Impact

• Osteoporosis affects over 500 million people worldwide, with 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 likely to suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.

• Up to 37 million fragility fractures occur each year in individuals aged 55+, equating to 70 fractures every minute globally.

• The majority—up to 80%—of patients experiencing osteoporosis-related fractures remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Disease Burden and Outcomes

• Osteoporosis leads to chronic pain, loss of independence, increased risk of additional fractures, and even premature death.

• Osteoporotic fractures are more common than breast cancer in women and account for more hospital days in women over 45 than diabetes or many other diseases.

• By 2050, the number of hip fractures is projected to nearly double due to the rapidly ageing global population.

Economic and Healthcare Impact

• In the United States alone, osteoporosis will be responsible for about three million fractures and $25.3 billion in healthcare costs annually by 2025.

• Worldwide, osteoporosis and fragility fractures impose a significant financial and social burden on families, healthcare systems, and communities.

Prevention Gap

• Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, osteoporosis remains under-prioritised—most patients are not screened, diagnosed, or treated after a fracture.

• The disability caused by osteoporosis in Europe is greater than that caused by cancers (except lung cancer) and is comparable to or greater than many chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Importance of Action

• Experts emphasise that osteoporosis-related fractures are often preventable with early screening, lifestyle changes, and appropriate therapy, but the gap between what is possible and what is done remains a “silent crisis”