Education and information: important tools in assessing the risks and prevention of osteoporosis fractures

The recent results of the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women on the lack of self-perceived risk of fracture are just one set of a series of publications that will contribute to the enhancement of osteoporosis assessment and perception and will help to develop new and specific interventions for fracture prevention and ultimately decrease mortality secondary to fractures. The failure of women to appreciate their own risk of fracture is a barrier to receiving appropriate care and safe and effective treatments. The study demonstrates that increased efforts must be made to educate medical professionals and the public including women of any age about the risks of fracture. The importance of osteopenia, osteoporosis and their impact on fractures should be well defined and emphasized, the notion of risk of fracture and its main causes at any age should be explained, and protective factors and lifestyle that may improve the overall health and reduce this risk for osteoporosis and fractures should be presented in an appropriate manner for each age and level of education. The first results of this large-scale study showed the lack of self-perceived risk of fracture 'in women and by women' of 55 years or older. Action for prevention should be taken by the women who are already at this age but also by the women who will soon reach this age.