Message from Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

Osteoporosis Awareness Month

November 2009

November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Nearly one out of four women over 50 and one in eight men over 50 have osteoporosis - a loss of bone density that can cause painful fracture, disability and deformity as bones become very thin and weak over time.

Osteoporosis can have a devastating effect on people's lives, as simple movements such as bending over to pick up a bag of groceries, can lead to fracture. Women are especially at risk of developing osteoporosis because at menopause, oestrogen levels, which help keep a woman's bones healthy, drop dramatically.

Bone loss can be prevented, delayed or reduced by eating well, including calcium in your diet, getting enough vitamin D, being active every day, and not smoking.

The Government of Canada is committed to addressing the challenges associated with osteoporosis. For example:

• In fiscal year 2008-09, the Government invested $8.7 million in osteoporosis research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). On November 8, CIHR will bring together patients, researchers, health professionals and public health experts to set national priorities for bone health research; and
• The Public Health Agency of Canada t racks rates of musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, to support the development of policies and programs for Canadians with osteoporosis.

I urge all Canadians to make a point this month to learn what steps they can take to improve their bone health. For more information, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's web site.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada