Tara-Winstead / PexelsFractures can be associated with a number of serious problems, especially in the elderlyTara-Winstead / Pexels
Breaking a bone can cause pain, physical disability, loss of independence, and even death, especially in older people. In Brazil, around 400,000 fractures occur due to bone fragility every year, according to a survey carried out by Capture the Fracture, a global program created by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. The problem has become critical as the number of cases increase and treatment and prevention remain stagnant—roughly 60% of patients who suffer this type of accident do not receive care. The situation is even worse for the 20% of patients who suffer fractures but do not have any access to medical treatment immediately after the accident. If no preventive measures are taken to reduce the high number of fractures, the number could increase by 60% by 2030—hip fractures in particular could rise by 100% by 2040, reaching almost 200,000 per year. The report recommends including the issue of bone fragility in national health policies, developing specific osteoporosis management strategies for different regions of the country, collecting robust data, and creating more centers for Fracture Care Services (FLS) nationwide. As of October 2024, Brazil has 57 registered FLS centers (EurekAlert, October 7).
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