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Free Scanning Road Show to Spread Awareness on Bone Disease

DUBAI — A free bone scanning road show will be launched in the UAE this month to commemorate the World Osteoporosis Day that falls on October 20.

Anlene, a food brand and the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre (DBAJ) has declared October as the month of osteoporosis awareness and prevention across the UAE.

The campaign will kick-off in the second week of October targeting nationals, Arab and non-Arab expatriates living in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

Following on from the success of last year’s Anlene Bone Health Check, this years’ campaign aims at screening above 25,000 individuals across the three emirates. Specially trained staff will set up osteoporosis screening booths at a number of government offices, private corporations and malls to ensure a majority of people are included.

“There are two aims to the campaign; first we need to continue to collect more data on the prevalence of osteoporosis in the UAE, second, is to raise awareness, especially to women, of the importance of early screening and detection in order to prevent or treat the disease at its onset.” said Yauwanan Wigneswaran, Brand Manager, Anlene.

Osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterised by weakened bones leading to an increased risk of fracture, is a major cause of disability, loss of independence, and in some cases leading to death.

In the UAE, it is estimated that 70 per cent of post menopausal women have low bone mass. Possible reasons for this high prevalence rate are; low calcium intake leading to a lower peak bone mass, low physical activity and, high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Bone Health and Osteoporosis, 2004, almost 20 per cent of women who experience a hip fracture die within one year.

“Approximately 80 per cent of post-menopausal Emirati women suffer from Vitamin D deficiency and this number is on the rise. Osteoporosis does not have clear symptoms, sometimes a fracture is the first sign and by then, the damage has already been done and is very difficult to reverse.

“Regular Bone Mass Density checks and an adequate supply of calcium, are preventative measures that should be on top of the list of priorities for every woman,” said Dr Humeira Badsha, Specialist Rheumatologist, DBAJ.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com