Amgen Supports 2019 World Osteoporosis Day Public Awareness Campaign in Shanghai

Shanghai, October 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- October 20 each year is "World Osteoporosis Day." Today, the science popularization and publicity campaign for World Osteoporosis Day 2019, themed "Dancing Bones Through Time, Unyielding Years," initiated and hosted by the "Haishang Mingyi" platform under Shanghai United Media Group and supported by Amgen, was held in Shanghai.

This public science campaign aims to call on the general public to pay attention to and prioritize the prevention and management of osteoporosis, reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures, further foster a favorable social atmosphere that values bone health, and enhance public awareness of bone health through online and offline disease education and health promotion activities.

At the event, a group of middle-aged and elderly dancers with upright postures and stunning dance moves conveyed their unyielding elegance through graceful performances. They showcased the pursuit of fitness, beauty, and quality of life among contemporary Chinese middle-aged and elderly women, while also raising awareness about osteoporosis prevention and treatment among the broader eligible population in China through their conscious attention to bone health.

Osteoporosis is worsening, with the condition being particularly severe among middle-aged and elderly women.

Osteoporosis is known as the “silent disease” and is a potential cause of pain, mobility impairment, fractures, and even life-threatening complications. According to data released by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), among the global population aged over 50, one in three women and one in five men suffer fragility fractures due to osteoporosis.^[1]Osteoporotic fractures are also a major cause of mortality and disability among elderly patients: within one year after a hip fracture, 20% of patients die from various complications, approximately 50% become disabled, and their quality of life significantly declines.^[2]

In China, the situation regarding osteoporosis is also far from optimistic. With the aging population intensifying, the number of individuals affected by osteoporosis in China is rising sharply. The prevalence rate reaches 19.2% among those aged 50 and above, and 32% among those aged 65 and above, making it one of China’s serious public health issues.^[3]

Among them, osteoporosis is particularly severe in middle-aged and elderly women. In China, one in three women aged 50 and older suffers from osteoporosis, with the prevalence among women aged 65 and older exceeding half (51.6%).^[3]

The 2018 China Epidemiological Survey on Osteoporosis (hereinafter referred to as the “Survey”) and its key findings revealed that the prevalence of low bone mass and osteoporosis begins to rise after age 50. This trend is primarily closely associated with the decline in sex hormone levels due to aging, with a particularly marked decrease in estrogen levels among women; consequently, the prevalence of osteoporosis is significantly higher in women than in men.^[3]

Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in high-risk populations, advocate for regular bone mineral density testing among these individuals, facilitate the early identification of patients with osteoporosis and those with low bone mass, and implement timely, personalized health interventions.

“Predictive Prevention”: A New Health Model Empowers Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults to Live with Vitality and Dignity

Osteoporosis is not an inevitable consequence of natural human aging; it is a preventable and treatable disease. However, data indicate that the diagnosis and treatment rates for osteoporosis in China remain insufficient.

Survey results show that only 3.7% of individuals aged 50 and older in China have undergone bone mineral density testing.^[3] Even among patients who have experienced osteoporotic fractures (vertebral and hip fractures), the diagnosis rate for osteoporosis treatment is only about two-thirds.^[4]

Early detection of osteopenia and osteoporosis, adhering to the principle of “early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment,” and further enhancing the prevention and control of osteoporosis, are important aspects of responding to the “Healthy China 2030” goal, which calls for “strengthening health guidance and comprehensive interventions for common diseases in the elderly population, and reinforcing health management for older adults.”

Ms. Mei-Ling Ko, Vice President and General Manager of Amgen China (My Linh Kha) stated: “As a global leader in biotechnology, Amgen is committed to its mission of serving patients with serious diseases by focusing on therapeutic areas with urgent unmet needs. Globally, we boast a robust portfolio of innovative products dedicated to improving bone health, which we will accelerate in introducing to the Chinese market to benefit patients in China. Meanwhile, Amgen is dedicated to collaborating with industry stakeholders and societal partners to address the practical needs of the Chinese market, driving the transformation of the healthcare ecosystem from a ‘treatment-focused’ model to a new paradigm centered on ‘prediction and prevention.’ This effort aims to enhance the quality of life for Chinese patients and improve public health, thereby contributing to the realization of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative.”

Ms. Ke Meiling emphasized, “This public education campaign for World Osteoporosis Day marks an important step for Amgen in enhancing societal awareness of osteoporosis and supporting Chinese middle-aged and elderly women to live with strength and dignity. Going forward, Amgen will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to help more middle-aged and older adults improve their quality of life and embrace their resilient years.”

^[1]International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Osteoporosis Guidelines.http://share.iofbonehealth.org/WOD/Compendium/IOF-Compedium-of-Osteoporosis-chinese-WEB.pdf. Accessed October 8, 2019.

^[2]Chinese Society of Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Metabolism, Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Osteoporosis (2017). Chinese Journal of Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Metabolism, 2017, 10(5): 413-443. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-2591.2017.05.002

^[3]Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health Commission Releases Epidemiological Survey Results on Osteoporosis in China.http://www.chinacdc.cn/gsywlswxx_9498/crbs/201812/t20181217_198289.html. Accessed October 8, 2019.

^[4] Wang O, Hu Y, Gong S, et al. A survey of outcomes and management of patients post fragility fractures in China. Osteoporosis International, 2015, 26(11): 2631-2640. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3162-6.