DAIICHI SANKYO launches guide on International Women's Day ‘Your Guide to Better Bone Health’ launched to educate women at risk of osteoporosis
Read Article
Article as MP3
Osteoporosis affects approximately 200 million women worldwide, most commonly after the menopause (postmenopausal osteoporosis) due to a significant decline in oestrogen levels, leaving bones fragile and susceptible to fracture1. It is estimated that, in Europe alone, about 800,000 patients will suffer a hip fracture each year, with the cost of all osteoporotic fractures in Europe approximately €25 billion2. On average 20% of women who suffer a hip fracture die within a year3.
Professor Juliet Compston, Professor of Bone Medicine at the University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK, comments; "Although you can't cure osteoporosis, you can help to prevent its development and progression by making a few simple lifestyle changes. Exercise is one such lifestyle activity that people can do to strengthen bones with, for example, dancing as a fun, beneficial form of exercise. Sufficient dietary calcium intake and vitamin D production in the skin from exposure to the sunlight also have important beneficial effects on bone health, and this initiative is welcomed to help educate women on how to protect their bones”.
People with osteoporosis are often anxious to undertake physical activity for fear of falling and suffering a fracture. However, appropriate physical activity is a good way to improve bone strength and also improves muscle strength, hence reducing the risk of falls.
Mr Reinhard Bauer, CEO DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE, comments; “This educational lifestyle guide provides those at risk of, and those with, osteoporosis with simple steps to help improve their bone health. DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE is committed to sharing our knowledge and encouraging people to look after their bones, helping to prevent the onset and progression of osteoporosis, and thus improving quality of life”.
As well as providing general information on osteoporosis, ‘Your Guide to Better Bone Health’ offers valuable tips and advice which can help women improve their bone health and prevent osteoporosis as a series of separate leaflets. They include examples of calcium and vitamin D rich foods, lifestyle hints such as sunlight exposure, and even suggestions of bone-strengthening dance moves and exercises. The ‘Your Guide to Better Bone Health’ educational lifestyle guide is available to download from www.osteoporosis-disease.eu, as well as the International Women’s Day 2010 website. A vodcast by Professor Compston and a feature article explaining how women can help prevent osteoporosis and build stronger bones, is also available on the IWD website.
‘Your Guide to Better Bone Health’ also supports a new educational programme, launched at the end of 2009, which aims to encourage people with osteoporosis to use ballroom dance exercises to help strengthen their bones and slow the progression of the disease. ‘Improvement through Movement’, an easy to follow programme of ballroom dance steps based on the styles of the Waltz, Quickstep and Rumba, demonstrates that dance can be accessible to all, regardless of age and ability. The DVD is available to patients through their physician practices. For more information on how physicians can order this DVD please visit www.osteoporosis-disease.eu.
Patients are advised to consult their physician or healthcare practitioner before undertaking any form of physical exercise.
About osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, meaning ‘porous bones’ is a progressive disease which increases the risk of fracture, particularly in the spine, wrists and hips due to a reduction in bone strength. Osteoporosis can cause pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily tasks, and in many cases, death. The declining level of oestrogen results in an increase in bone breakdown (resorption), which can lead to a loss of bone density and hence stability4.
About International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In 2010, IWD takes place on Monday 8th March. Every year, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. However, the unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. IWD is now an official holiday in many European countries, including Russia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. For more information please visit: www.internationalwomensday.com.
Contact:
Dr. Iris Marr
International Brand Management
Phone +49(0)89/78 08-807
iris.marr@daiichi-sankyo.eu
Dr. Michaela Paudler-Debus
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Phone +49(0)89/78 08- 685
michaela.paudler-debus@daiichi-sankyo.eu
References:
1. BUPA. Osteoporosis.Available at: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Osteoporosis.html last accessed 08.02.10
2. International Osteoporosis Foundation. Facts and statistics about osteoporosis and its impact. Available at http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics.html#factsheet-category-22 . last accessed 08.02.10
3. Cumming RG, Nevitt MC, Cummings SR. Epidemiology of hip fractures. Epidemiol Rev. 1997;19:244–57
4. Condren L. As oestrogen declines. World of Irish Nursing. 2002; 10(3); 31-32
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about future developments in the sector, and the legal and business conditions of DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH. Such forward-looking statements are uncertain and are subject at all times to the risks of change, particularly to the usual risks faced by a global pharmaceutical company, including the impact of the prices for products and raw materials, medication safety, changes in exchange rates, government regulations, employee relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism as well as the results of independent demands and governmental inquiries that affect the affairs of the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release hold true as of the date of publication. They do not represent any guarantee of future performance. Actual events and developments could differ materially from the forward-looking statements that are explicitly expressed or implied in these statements. DAIICHI SANKYO EUROPE GmbH assumes no responsibility for the updating of such forward-looking statements about future developments of the sector, legal and business conditions and the company.
