Her Majesty The Queen Consort supports launch of UK’s first Osteoporosis Risk Checker to help people keep their bones strong for life

3.5 million people in the UK are living with a life-changing condition that only just over a quarter of UK adults have considered they could even be at risk of, new figures show

Today, on World Osteoporosis Day, the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), encourages everyone to consider their risk of this silent condition by launching the UK’s first bone health risk checker.

Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to weaken and break more easily, isn’t an inevitable part of getting older. Poor bone health can affect anyone, with one in two women over 50 expected to break a bone because of it, and for men it’s one in five. These broken bones aren’t just painful setbacks; as many people die of fracture-related causes as from diabetes or lung cancer.

Despite this, shocking new figures released today on World Osteoporosis Day (20 October) by the ROS, show that two thirds (65%) of adults have never considered they might be at risk of poor bone health and more than half of UK adults (57%) haven’t ever considered their bone health at all.

Osteoporosis is treatable and fractures largely preventable but it’s important to find out if you are at risk. In just five minutes, the new tool launched today, will provide people with free, tailored advice about their osteoporosis risk and provide practical tips on how to take action on their bone health.

In her former role as The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Majesty The Queen Consort has been ROS President for many years and is well known as the most high-profile global advocate for people living with osteoporosis. Recognised across the world as one of the most effective communicators on the importance on bone health, last year on the BBC she called for younger people to consider their bone health and take action to prevent osteoporosis. Her Majesty joins the call today to encourage others to check their risk.

Her Majesty The Queen Consort, said:

“Both my grandmother and my mother died as a result of osteoporosis. At the time, the disease was seldom discussed, rarely diagnosed and was usually acknowledged as an unavoidable part of growing older. 

“Osteoporosis continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people and the people they love. But now, thankfully, we know far more about the causes, symptoms and available treatments. Today, on World Osteoporosis Day, I would like to encourage you to “check your risk” and to discover the easy steps that we can all take to improve bone health throughout our lives.”  

In response to new figures showing that more than 75% of people haven’t taken any steps to assess their bone health, Craig Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said:

“Osteoporosis will affect every other mother; every other grandmother. And too many of us still think men are unaffected. The truth is we all have bones and, if we arm ourselves with knowledge, we can keep them stronger for longer. It all starts with people understanding their bone health risk and taking action”.

This World Osteoporosis Day we encourage everyone to check your risk. Visit theros.org.uk/bone-health-check/