Ross Hart (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise that tomorrow, 20 October 2017, is World Osteoporosis Day. Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones become brittle, leading to higher risk of breaks than in normal bones and resulting in fractures and, more importantly, decreased mobility and loss of quality of life.

In Australia, osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and undertreated, with as many as 80 per cent of patients failing to receive appropriate treatment. As many as 4.7 million, or 66 per cent of, Australians over the age of 50 have poor bone health, costing the health system billions of dollars every year. Importantly, osteoporosis can be treated; however, early detection is vital to ensure that bone health is managed to prevent fractures.

World Osteoporosis Day is an opportunity to focus on bone health in Australia and to call on the community, doctors and policymakers to focus on this important health issue, which is resulting in over 160,000 fractures every year in Australia. By increasing awareness of osteoporosis in Australia and the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce fractures, we will improve the quality of life for millions of Australians in the future. I would encourage all members to support this important cause by helping to raise awareness of this silent disease affecting so many of our fellow Australians.

I look forward to joining members after question time today to meet with World Osteoporosis Day ambassadors Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Cathy Freeman and the CEO of Osteoporosis Australia, Dr Greg Lyubomirsky, who are in the gallery today to help promote World Osteoporosis Day.