Osteoporosis (meaning ‘porous bones’) is a condition that causes bones to become thin, weak and fragile. This occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, faster than the body can replace them.

Decreases in bone mineral density and changes in bone quality make bones more fragile and easily broken than bones of ‘normal’ density.  As a result, even a minor bump or accident can cause a fracture (broken bone). Such events include falling out of bed or off a chair, or tripping and falling while walking.

Based on self-reported data from the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey (2011–12), about 625,500 Australians aged 50 and over (9.4%) reported having osteoporosis or osteopenia. Osteopenia is low bone density between the range of normal and osteoporosis and is also a risk for bone fragility. These conditions are more common for women (15.1%) than men (3.3%) of this age.