“The quiet epidemic”, as osteoporosis is sometimes called, has been spreading out all over the world for the past 50 years. An estimated 200 million people suffer from it. By 2050, the number of osteoporosis fractures is expected to double. Thighbone fractures lead to 10% – 20% increase in the one-year death rate. At least a quarter of the patients with such fractures need to stay in hospital for a long period of time.
Statistics show that one in three women and one in five men over 50 years of age will have at least one fracture because of bone fragility. The risk of thighbone fracture for women is higher than the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer put together. The population of Bulgaria is prevalently growing old and the spread of osteoporosis is expected to rise in the decades to come.
About 20% of young women have low bone density. In most cases this is a symptom of osteoporosis. A dramatic increase in osteoporosis is observed with patents over 50 years of age. This coincides with the observations of menopausal and senile osteoporosis. Only a quarter of all elderly women have normal mineral bone density.
According to the statistics collected by Bulgarian Menopause Research Association, every year about 4,000 women in Bulgaria undergo gynecological operations for removal of their ovaries. This causes estrogen deficiency, as a result of which osteoporosis develops even more rapidly. Over 92,000 women in Bulgaria have at least one vertebral fraction. Every year over 4,000 women have thighbone fractions and 800 of them die in a year’s time because of subsequent complications. This information is based on data about hospitalized patients. The average period of hospitalization after a thighbone fracture is 30-35 days.
The survey carried out by Women without Osteoporosis Association and based on “Instant test for evaluation of personal risk of osteoporosis” has revealed disturbing data about the risk of osteoporosis that Bulgarian women face. The results from the testing of 6,375 women show the wide spread of risk factors (in 9 out of 10 women):
- limited consumption of milk and dairy products;
- insufficient physical exercise;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse
Because of the disturbing tendencies in the spread of this disease and the factors that determine it, prevention activities are of crucial importance.
THE PROGRAM
Having in mind the serious danger of osteoporosis and the vital importance of its prevention, BFW will continue to support financially NGOs’ projects aimed at combating this disease.
On 1st October 2005 Bulgarian Fund for Women launches a four-month fundraising program “OSTEOPOROSIS” in partnership with Daflorn Ltd.
In this Program, BFW will advertise Daflorn Ltd. products “OSTOTONIN” for the period 01.10.2003 – 31.01.2006. These products are pro-biotic nutritional supplements and functional foods produced from organic cow’s milk. The products have a proven effect for prevention and complex treatment of osteoporosis. For more information about “OSTOTONIN” products, please visit Daflorn Ltd. website:https://www.daflorn.com
Under the agreement signed, Daflorn Ltd. will give the Fund 40% of its total income from the sales of “OSTOTONIN” products for the period 01.10.2005 – 31.01.2006.
The access to information about the risk of osteoporosis and its prevention are an essential part of the combat against it. With the funds raised in this Program, BFW will support financially NGOs’ projects aimed at raising public awareness of the danger of osteoporosis, risk groups of women, risk factors and ways of prevention and early diagnosis of this disease.
We would be happy if you express your sympathy for Bulgarian women and donate money to support them!
Fundraising account:
BULGARIAN FUND FOR WOMEN
BULBANK
7, Sveta Nedelia Sq.
1000 Sofia
USD IBAN:BG78 BFTB 7630 1175 6331 63
EUR IBAN:BG02 BFTB 7630 1475 7340 04
BGN IBAN:BG51 BFTB 7630 1076 5708 47
Contacts:
e-mail: gender@fastbg.net
or tel./fax: +359 2 986 4710 and +359 2 981 5604.
Address: Bulgarian Fund for Women,
37B, Parchevich St, 1000 Sofia
