Read a short note from Dr. Shoba Subramanian on World Osteoporosis Day:
World Osteoporosis Day takes place on October 20th to raise awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related metabolic bone diseases.1 Around the world, nearly 200 million people suffer from osteoporosis.2 According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the disease affects nearly one in three women over the age of 50, while and one in five men will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.3 With symptoms including back ache and hunched posture, employers should work with affected employees to help ensure the disease does not impact their daily working life.
It is understandable that workers may be worried about how osteoporosis could affect their jobs. Whether in the office or the field, mobility issues caused by this disease can make it difficult to carry out physical tasks. Many organisations have an occupational health department that can refer people for an assessment and share information about the condition.4 Once the assessment results are known, employers should make the requisite adjustments, such as providing reclining chairs and other equipment, to support their needs.
Outside of the workplace, women aged 65 or older and men aged 70 or older are widely encouraged to visit their doctors and take bone mineral density tests, which measure how many minerals and calcium are in an area of bone to ensure a correct diagnosis.5 At UnitedHealthcare Global, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get active to help reduce the impacts of osteoporosis. Through the MyWellbeing platform, UnitedHealthcare Global provides digital resources to help users track their health journey in real-time. Putting up bulletins and posters are also useful strategies to remind employees to check their bone health. For employers to create an inclusive workplace, these solutions can support colleagues and help ensure the disease does not prevent them from leading fulfilling careers. - Dr. Shoba Subramanian, Medical Director, Europe, UnitedHealthcare Global
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Resources:
1: https://www.worldosteoporosisday.org/get-involved
2: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4443-osteoporosis
3: https://www.worldosteoporosisday.org/about-osteoporosis
4: https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/osteoporosis/living-with-osteoporosis/everyday-life/employment-and-work-life/
5: https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/diagnosis-information/bone-density-examtesting/