Abstract
Asia is witnessing a rapid growth in its aging population. Yet osteoporosis in this region has received relatively little attention. Hip fracture rates have increased by 2- to 3-fold in most Asian countries during the past 30 years. Lack of quality epidemiologic data, widespread vitamin D deficiency, low dietary calcium intakes, and uneven access to diagnostic and therapeutic facilities are some of the major challenges faced in this region. Osteoporotic fractures constitute a huge medical, social, and economic burden in Asia. There is an urgent need to promote research, spread awareness, and build national health programs to check this growing problem.
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Disclosure
A. Mithal; consultant to USV India, Eris Life Sciences, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, MSD, Merck, Biocon India, GSK, and Abbott India; grants to the institution for clinical trials from TECOS, ORIGIN, and DUAL; paid lecturer for USV India, Eris Life Sciences, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, MSD, Merck, Biocon India, GSK, Abbott India, BMS and Novartis (India). P. Kaur; none.
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Mithal, A., Kaur, P. Osteoporosis in Asia: A Call to Action. Curr Osteoporos Rep 10, 245–247 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-012-0114-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-012-0114-3