Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We take our bones for granted. Without strong bones we risk fractures. As someone who recently tripped and fractured my shoulder, requiring a painful insertion of a plate, I've spent the last four months wishing my bones had been stronger as I hit the pavement. Anyone who has a fracture from a standing fall, as I did, is at risk of osteoporosis, or brittle bones. I had a bone scan and I'm fortunate that I don't have osteoporosis, but I do have early signs of osteopenia, which is thinning bones.

What can I do to make sure the early signs of thinning bones don't turn into dangerous osteoporosis? It's pretty easy really: a healthy diet packed with calcium and Vitamin D, which means lots of dairy and maybe a supplement; regular exercise, including some that's weight bearing; and checking in with my doctor, to make sure that he's keeping in charge of my bone scans.

Incredibly, one in five Australians have poor bone health. In Australia osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and untreated. Eighty per cent of patients fail to receive appropriate treatment. Today we recognise World Osteoporosis Day, a day dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention and management of osteoporosis.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to Osteoporosis Australia's great ambassador, Ita Buttrose, who is in parliament here today. I know she's advocated for the strategic action plan on osteoporosis announced today by the Morrison government. I know she will be delighted that it will help strengthen our country's bones and prevent thousands of fractures from falls.