?Osteoporosis affects a million Indians each year?

The Arthritis Foundation of India (AFI) launched ?Strong Bones, Great Women? initiative on the occasion of World Osteoporosis day, in association with the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

The initiative is supported by Calcium Sandoz Woman, a well-known Calcium supplementation brand made especially for women.

Statistics provided by the Arthritis Foundation of India (AFI) during the program revealed that, by the year 2013, India is expected to have over 36 million Osteoporosis cases compared to the 26 million recorded in 2003; this means that a million cases would be added each year.

?The chief reason that Osteoporosis is rampant in the country is that there is low awareness about the disease and neither does the government recognize it as a major health disorder.? said Dr Sushil Sharma, Chairman, AFI.

Prevention of the disease lies in increased awareness of the risk factors and by adopting corrective nutritional and lifestyle routines, Sharma said.

Present during the program were women achievers like Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Minister of State, Medical Education, Higher and Technical Education, Karnam Malleswari, Olympian weightlifter, Judy Stenmark, COO International Osteoporosis Foundation, Naini Setalvad, renowned Nutritionist, Obesity and Health Consultant, Rohini Hattangadi, noted Actor, Dr Kiran Coelho, Chief Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Lilavati Hospital, and Indu Shahani, Sheriff of Mumbai who raised their voices to fight this bone disorder.

Sharma went on to add that Osteoporosis is under diagnosed, undertreated and the general population is not aware that it is the primary cause of fractures in people above the age of 40.

?Most of the country?s population lives in rural areas where fractures are treated conservatively. Even in the urban areas, despite operative intervention by doctors the associated disability, morbidity & mortality is worrisome especially with hip fractures. Indians are more at risk because of widespread chronic Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency,? reiterated Sharma.

A healthy lifestyle combined with regular exercise and adequate quantities of Calcium can do wonders to keep your bones healthy and strong,? said Judy Stenmark, Chief Operating Officer, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

This Mumbai event also happens to be a part of International Osteoporosis Foundations tirade against spine fractures for this year ?Don?t Bend to Osteoporosis? along with Toronto, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Geneva etc.

?Osteoporosis affects the lives of more than 30 million people and the figure is expected to reach 36 million by 2013 in India. By supporting initiatives like these, we would like to increase awareness and help prevent Osteoporosis,? said Vineet Singhal, Head, OTC, Novartis India Ltd., that promotes Calcium Sandoz Woman.

?A survey conducted by AFI earlier was an eye opener which revealed that only 39% of the people knew that Osteoporosis can be treated with medicines. This too, was a crucial factor contributing to the poor state of affairs,? said Dr Sanjeev Jain, Mumbai regional consultant of AFI & Sr Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai.

?If you ask a person if hypertension or diabetes can be treated with medicines, he will say yes. This is how it should be for Osteoporosis as well. If they don?t realize that they are osteoporotic until they shatter their limbs, it will be quite hard to nip it in the bud,? said Dr. Jain.

Olympian weightlifter, Karnam Malleswari emphasized the need of sports for girls as part of lifestyle to keep their bones strong. Noted Actor, Rohini Hattangadi said, ?A whisper campaign and discussion among women will go a long way in making osteoporosis a mass movement?.

Dr Kiran Coelho advised that all post-menopausal women should get themselves screened for osteoporosis as hormonal changes are bound to reduce bone density.

The Minister for Medical Education also launched the book ?Defeat Osteoporosis? authored by Dr Sushil Sharma.

Arthritis Foundation of India Trust came into existence in 2002 with the objective of carrying out systematic, scientific and public awareness work in the field of musculo-skeletal diseases especially osteoporosis & arthritis.