Key facts:
- Osteoporosis affects more than 1.4 million Canadians, including 530,000 people in Ontario (Osteoporosis Canada).
- One in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis.
- Bone mass is primarily laid down during childhood and adolescence; the child who does not develop healthy bones is at risk of becoming an adult with osteoporosis (Ontario Women’s Health Council, 2003).
By encouraging Ontarians to make healthy choices at all ages and stages of life, and by creating environments and policies that support bone health, this Strategy is at the forefront of efforts to prevent chronic diseases and injuries.
Building and maintaining peak bone mass is crucial to the prevention of osteoporosis. Education programs will focus on Ontarians at higher risk (i.e. seniors and post-menopausal women) and during critical periods of bone growth and development (i.e., children and adolescents).
Target groups:
- Grade five students and their parents.
- Women and men aged 40 and over.
Key Activities:
