Christmas is a time of joy and laughter, but for osteoporosis sufferers it can also bring challenges.
Plummeting temperatures can lead to icy conditions, which are treacherous for those with the bone-weakening condition.
Latest figures from the Royal Osteoporosis Society suggest there will be more than 19,000 fractures over the two-week holiday, and 3,000 people could see in the New Year from a hospital bed due to a hip fracture.
The average length of stay in hospital following that particular break is 21 days in England and Wales.
And, tragically, more than a quarter of hip fracture patients die within a year of it happening.
The Sunday Express Better Bones for Life campaign is calling for an end to the postcode lottery in England for osteoporosis diagnostics, known as Fracture Liaison Services.
Delivering these specialist clinics across the whole of the country will prevent a total of 74,000 fractures over five years, by diagnosing people early and offering treatment.
As part of the crusade we also want to encourage 100,000 people to check their chances of getting the condition with the ROS’s online risk checker.
Fear of falling is also a huge barrier for those with osteoporosis. ROS figures show 92 per cent of people are concerned about future falls or fractures, while 70 per cent say this fear has had a significant impact on what they do.
Sadly, 48 per cent of respondents say their osteoporosis has affected their emotional health, mainly because of the pain and the need to cut out activities they enjoy.
Try the risk checker by visiting: theros.org.uk/risk-checker. Donate to the ROS at theros.org.uk/donation/
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