Older Australians in the dark about osteoporosis, research finds

A recent study from Curtin University has revealed a significant lack of knowledge about osteoporosis among older Australians. The research, which surveyed more than 1,400 individuals aged 50 and older, found that people scored only 29.5 out of 100 on a test of their bone health knowledge. The study, published in the journal Bone, highlights major gaps in understanding, particularly concerning exercises that can protect bones and reduce the risk of falls.

More than half of the participants were unaware of specific exercises like resistance training that can help prevent osteoporosis, and over a third couldn't identify exercises that improve balance and fall risk reduction. Lead author Phuong Dung Lam noted that while many older Australians understand the importance of a healthy diet and regular activity, they may not recognize the critical role of protecting their bones.

Only 18% of the study participants said they paid a lot of attention to reducing their osteoporosis risk, despite a considerable portion of the population reporting a family history of the condition. The study found men were nearly twice as likely as women to have low knowledge of osteoporosis. Additionally, older adults, those with lower education levels, and individuals without a family history of osteoporosis were more likely to have limited knowledge.

Professor Deborah Kerr emphasized the need to raise awareness about osteoporosis prevention as part of healthy aging. The study also revealed that osteoporosis was a much lower health concern for Australians compared to conditions like cancer and being overweight. Only 4.5% ranked osteoporosis as their biggest health worry, and just 1% considered hip fracture their top concern.

This low concern level, combined with knowledge gaps, underscores the necessity for clearer and more targeted public health messages about bone health.