Osteoporosis in Asia: A Call to Action.

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2012 Aug 17.

Mithal A, Kaur P.

Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Medanta the Medicity, Sector 38, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122001, India, ambrishmithal@hotmail.com.

Asia is witnessing a rapid growth in its aging population. Yet osteoporosis in this region has received relatively little attention.

Hip fracture rates have increased by 2- to 3-fold in most Asian countries during the past 30 years.

Lack of quality epidemiologic data, widespread vitamin D deficiency, low dietary calcium intakes, and uneven access to diagnostic and therapeutic facilities are some of the major challenges faced in this region.

Osteoporotic fractures constitute a huge medical, social, and economic burden in Asia.

There is an urgent need to promote research, spread awareness, and build national health programs to check this growing problem.

PMID: 22898971

See also VitaminDWiki

• 5X increase in hip fracture rates in past 65 years