Osteoporosis in South Africa Campaign Captures International Attention

Your Bones Matter, a national campaign advocating for better diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in South Africa, recently received the World Osteoporosis Day 2022 Best Regional Campaign Award. The National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa produced the campaign in partnership with the Global Alliance for Patient Access.  

The recognition occurred during the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, which took place May 4-7 in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to offering scientific presentations, the congress highlights the important advocacy work happening in South Africa.

About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes your bones weak and more likely to break. Many of the most common fractures will occur in the spine, hips or wrist. Osteoporosis is considered one of the most common bone diseases, affecting one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 worldwide.

In South Africa, osteoporosis affects about 2 million men and women.

The Importance of Patient Voices

The campaign recognition offers an important reminder of the role that advocacy and public awareness play in tackling pressing public health challenges. The work done in partnership by the National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa and the Global Alliance for Patient Access also underscores the importance of sharing the patient voices – across the globe and across disease states.