Colombia: Association seeks to consider osteoporosis as a public health problem

The Colombian Association of Osteoporosis and Mineral Metabolism (Acomm), with the support of civil society, seeks that the disease be considered as a public health problem. This condition has been considered as a public health problem in Bolivia, Cuba, Chile, and Panama. Colombia along with other countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Mexico does not consider osteoporosis as severe condition, mainly due to the lack of sufficient statistics.

Mexico is working towards updating its data by conducting epidemiological and representative studies across the country, with reliable guidelines. The urgency call by physicians is based on figures collected showing that osteoporosis is the second leading cause of mortality in women over 50 years of age in Colombia after cardiovascular disease.

It is estimated that every hour an osteoporosis hip fracture occurs in Colombia. Estimates show that one in three women and one in five men in the Colombia have a fracture due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women as after the age of 50 menopause begins which this leads to loss of estrogen that helps protect bones. In men, the disease is more serious after age of 70.

These natural factors coupled with lack of exercise, nutrient rich diet and vitamin D absorption leads to 40,000 vertebral fractures, 20,000 hip fractures and 12,000 wrists annually in Colombia.