About The Disease

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that slowly, quietly weakens bones, often going undiagnosed – even when it breaks them. Osteoporosis is caused by low bone mass and the weakening of bone, which can lead to increased risk of fracture. At Osteoporosis Canada, we’re on a mission to defeat it. We educate, advocate, and strategically invest in research.

Prevalence

While Osteoporosis can affect people at almost any age, it is most common among Canadians 50 years of age or older.

• 2 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis
• At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime
• Fragility fractures represent 80% of all fractures in menopausal women over the age of 50
• Fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined

Impact

People living with osteoporosis face a reduced quality of life, lowered self-esteem, reduction or loss of mobility, disfigurement, a lack of independence and in some cases, death – 28% of women and 37% of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within the following year.

For many Canadians, osteoporosis means they can’t live the life they want to – and we’re working to change that.