World Osteoporosis Day

This World Osteoporosis Day, Take Steps for Bone Health

📅 October 20, 2025

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and fragile, increasing the risk of fracture. It’s known as a “silent disease” because symptoms may not appear until a bone breaks. One in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. For women, the incidence is greater than that of a heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer combined.

Osteoporosis-related bone breaks cost patients, their families and the healthcare system $19 billion annually. This year, experts predict that osteoporosis will be responsible for three million fractures resulting in $25.3 billion in costs.

Did you know? 

• After age 50, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer a fracture in their remaining lifetime
• A fracture due to osteoporosis occurs every 20 seconds
• In women, fractures due to osteoporosis are more common than breast cancer
• 54 million adults in the US have osteoporosis or low bone density             

Learn more about osteoporosis. 

Join ASBMR’s global community of clinical and experimental scientists in the study of bone and mineral metabolism in taking steps for bone health on World Osteoporosis Day. 

👟 Join the Steps Challenge 

Regular exercise can help slow or stop the loss of bone mass and help prevent fractures. The ASBMR White Sneakers campaign encourages people to lace up to take steps to improve bone health.

On October 20, participate in ASBMR’s Step Challenge to demonstrate your commitment to bone health and compete for fun prizes.

1. Share a photo of your white sneakers and tag @asbmr to join the movement.
2. Download the StepUp app by scanning the QR code or clicking this link.
3. Once the app is downloaded, scan the QR code or click the link again to join the ASBMR World Osteoporosis Day challenge.
4. Lace up and join your colleagues, family, and friends in exercise to rack up steps and climb the leaderboard.

📣 Share the Message

Use your platforms to share awareness of osteoporosis, including prevention and treatment. Researchers play a critical role in linking science to action. Our World Osteoporosis Toolkit includes assets to help you spread the message and join the movement.

Osteoporosis Facts Images 

Click below to download images that you can use on social media to share important facts about osteoporosis. Suggested captions are included but feel free to personalize the message. 

• Exercise helps build bone
• Menopause speeds bone loss
  • Research indicates that up to 20% of bone loss can happen during these stages and approximately 1 in 10 women over the age of 60 are affected by osteoporosis worldwide.  
• Cost of fractures

  • The economic burden of osteoporosis is driven primarily by the high costs of treating fractures. Scaling up our response to this silent threat is essential to avoid an escalation of related costs. Learn more from the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

• Post-menopausal hormone changes
• Regular DEXA scans
  • Knowledge is power. Talk to your primary care physician to review your risk factors for osteoporosis and get regular DEXA scans. Learn more.
• Silent disease

  • #Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease”, because you can’t feel bones getting weaker. The first sign of osteoporosis is often a #bone fracture. Signs of osteoporosis include a loss of height >1.5” or ‘stooped’ posture. What can you do? Ask your doctor about getting a bone density test. Take the bone health quiz.

• Step your way to stronger bones

  • Weight bearing activity is essential for bone health. Resistance training is particularly effective for improving muscle mass and bone health. Lift, push, run, jump your way to better bone health. Check out this series of videos on exercises for bone health.

• Vitamin D

  • Proper nutrition and diet can help to build a strong skeleton. Beyond adequate #calcium and #vitamin D, it’s important to have enough protein in your diet and limit alcohol intake.  Learn more here.

• Weakened vertebrae 
  • If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor about scanning for osteoporosis and check your risk factors.

White Sneakers Campaign Image

Click here to download an image to invite people to join you in wearing white sneakers and taking steps for bone health. 

Important Resources

Alongside your World Osteoporosis Day messages, share these important resources to support patients and providers. 

• Bone Health Quiz
• Boning Up on Osteoporosis 
• Risk Check
• IOF Calcium Calculator
• Exercise Video Series
• IOF World Osteoporosis Day Toolkit

🫴 Donate to Fund Bone Research

In honor of World Osteoporosis Day, we invite you to take action that truly makes a difference. By donating to the ASBMR Fund for Research and Education, you’re directly supporting the scientists and investigators working tirelessly to advance understanding, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.