National Healthy Bones Week 2009

This year, National Health Bones Week is on the 2-8 of August 2009. For details about the week and related activities, click here.

more events

Upcoming state-based events - click here or contact your state office: 1800 242 141.

Recent Events

Osteoporosis & Men Parliamentary Breakfast

Left to right: The Hon. Justine Eliott, Minister for Ageing, and speakers Dr John Howe, Prof Caryl Nowson and Prof Peter Ebeling

Osteoporosis Australian hosted its annual Parliamentary Breakfast on Wednesday March 11. The theme for this year was Osteoporosis & Men. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects both men and women and current statistics suggest 1 in 3 men over 60 will have an osteoporotic fracture.

The event informed politicians about the prevalence of the disease, the associated costs to the healthcare system and the opportunities for preventing osteoporosis and subsequent fractures.

Next Fracture Prevention Think Tank November 2008

Prof John Eisman, Garvin Institute; Dr Jan Vaile; A Prof Jane Bleasel; Barbara Holborow, Consumer Representative; A Prof Mellick Chehade

Osteoporosis Australia hosted a national "Next Fracture Prevention Think Tank" on November 21 in Sydney.

The event brought together experts in the field of bone health and state health representatives from across Australia. Delegates discussed best models of care, to prevent further fractures occurring after a patient suffers their first fracture.

Current statistics show 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 60 years will sustain an osteoporotic fracture. The likelihood of then having a second fracture increases substantially after this first fracture.

The 'think tank' addressed the challenge of capturing people who have experienced a first fracture, to prevent them from fracturing again.
Currently only 20% of people who sustain a fracture are investigated and treated appropriately for osteoporosis.


Recommendations from the 'think tank' will be presented to the Department of Health and Ageing for review.

Caption (right): A Prof Lyn March (NSW), Anne McNeill, Dept of Health and Ageing, Prof Peter Ebeling (VIC)

World Osteoporosis Day - October 21

The World Osteoporosis Day launch on October 21 was a big success with the official release of new exercise guides for consumers and GPs endorsed by the Federal Minister for Ageing, the Hon. Justine Elliot MP.

Sporting stars backed the launch with tips on exercise for general bone health. We would like to thank the following people for lending their time and sporting expertise to this important message:

• Olympic walker Jane Saville (pictured above)
• Former Socceroo Craig Foster (pictured above)
• Tennis coach Wally Masur
• Olympic Polevaulter Tatiana Gregorieva

Osteoporosis Australia stressed the importance of targeted exercise in building and maintaining bone health.

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival - September 2008

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Blackmore's Sydney Running Festival on September 21 and raised money for OA. Participants could enter any of the four events - the 4km bridge walk/run, the 9km fun run, the half marathon or the full marathon! We look forward to welcoming everyone to this event again in 2009. Prizes for the highest fundraisers at this year's event have been annnounced - click here to view them.

Left to right: Half marathon winner Gemechu Woyecha, Jonathon Coleman, Strong Bones team captain Selina Gilsenan.