Singapore, Oct 26, 2009: One in four Australian men over the age of 60 will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis. Fractures from osteoporosis are less common in men than in women but when fractures occur in men they cause higher disability and death rates. Musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and osteoporosis affect around 6.3 million Australians. The above details were released on the World Osteoporosis Day on October 20 in Australia.

Ms Justine Elliot, Minister for Ageing, said, “Australian men should be aware that as they age, their risk of developing osteoporosis is elevated, despite the misconception that the condition only affects women.”

The Rudd Government provided more than $80,000 to Osteoporosis Australia for the development of the Men and Osteoporosis and Men and Osteoporosis – for GPs resources. To help get the message out, Osteoporosis Australia have recruited well known Australian athletes, Guy Leech and Robert de Castella to help promote the new resources.

“Older people are at greater risk of osteoporosis as when people age their bones begin to lose calcium and can become weaker and are not as effective at absorbing calcium from food. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the loss of bone mass from getting worse and can also help to improve bone density. To improve bone health, men should lead an active and healthy life by getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet with an increased amount of calcium and vitamin D,” Minister Elliot added.

This year the Rudd Government will invest nearly $30 million for research into musculoskeletal conditions, with a further $14.8 million over four years invested into the Better Arthritis and Osteoporosis Care initiative to improve care and management of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, focusing on osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.