Feature Articles

Bone Health Day

Ref Number: ESEAOR200711a

  • Date1 Nov 2007
  • Category FPA Message
  • Targets Public
  • AuthorFPAHK
  • Topic Others

13 October 2007: In response to the World Osteoporosis Day, the Hong Kong Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) joined hands with the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Society (OSHK) to organize a “Bone Health Day 2007” on 13 October 2007. The event aimed to arouse public awareness on bone health with a view to prevent osteoporosis and the increased risk of bone fractures brought about by the disease.  

Legislative Council member the Hon Chan Yuen-han, SBS JP, officiated at the event Opening. She encouraged people to start early in building and strengthening their bones and to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from bone fractures. She also commended OSHK, the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, CUHK, and FPAHK for their work in promoting bone health. She said the impacts had started to be seen in society.

In his Welcoming Remarks, Dr Tai-pang Ip, Vice-President of OSHK, informed that the International Osteoporosis Foundation had adopted “The Year of Bone Health Awareness” as the main theme for this year’s World Osteoporosis Day on 20 October. As a member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, OSHK partnered with FPAHK to organise the Bone Health Day to enhance public awareness of osteoporosis.  

Mrs. Lina Lo, Vice-Chairman of FPAHK, remarked that the Association had started to provide bone density measurement for menopause women since 1999. Their Osteoporosis Clinic was opened in 2005 to extend services to men. Consultation service was offered to people at risk of osteoporosis; screening, laboratory test and medication were provided to people according to their needs. The Association also collaborated with Osteoporosis Centre, Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to provide Osteoporosis Shared Care Service to follow up on patients with stabilised conditions.

Prof. Annie Kung, Director of Osteoporosis Centre, QMH, HKU, released information on the “Clinical Risk Factor Assessment on Bone Factures of Hong Kong Women”. She pointed out that osteoporosis was a condition associated with bone fragility and increased risk of bone fractures. It was one of the most common and disabling illnesses associated with pain, loss of mobility and independency. Many patients died within one year of their fracture. About one third of postmenopausal women and one tenth of men above the age of 50 had osteoporosis. It was estimated that about 300,000 women and 100,000 men in Hong Kong were currently suffering from the disease. The data of this study confirmed that clinical risk factor assessment, in addition to BMD measurement, was a reliable predictor of 10-year risk of osteoporosis fracture.

Prof. Kwok-sui Leung of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), shared the experience in his Community Fall and Fracture Prevention Project and bone health promotion work. He explained the causes, risk factors and consequences of fall and bone fractures. The Community Fall and Fracture Prevention Project has trained up a group of women volunteers from FPAHK’s Women’s Clubs as “Bone Health Ambassadors” to help promote the weight-bearing “Ten-combo Exercise” in the community.

The FPAHK Drama Troupe presented a short drama “Fragile Women” to bring out the message of bone health and osteoporosis prevention. Mr. Pan-ching Sze, occupational therapist of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, CUHK, led the participants into a post-performance discussion. Other activities included tongue-twister competition, gymnastic demonstrations, game booths and exhibition etc. Free bone density measurement and balance test were offered to the public.

The event attracted an attendance of over 2,700 and media coverage in 6 printed reports and 5 electronic media programs.