Introduction to Osteoporosis Canada

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, which increases the risk of fracture. Because bone loss occurs silently over many years, osteoporosis is often called the “silent thief” — frequently, the first sign of the disease is a broken bone.² Over 80% of all fractures in people aged 50 and over are caused by osteoporosis.²

Osteoporosis Canada (OC), established in 1982 and headquartered in Toronto, was the world’s first national organization dedicated to osteoporosis and remains the only national organization serving people affected by the disease in Canada.¹ For nurses working in fracture screening, OC is the national anchor: it produces the clinical practice guidelines, risk-assessment tools, and patient education materials you will use every day.

1.1 About Osteoporosis Canada

OC works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities on bone and muscle health and in the risk reduction and treatment of osteoporosis, with a renewed focus on reducing fragility fractures — fractures from low trauma, such as a fall from standing height or less.¹

OC holds three notable “firsts”:¹

• The world’s first organization dedicated to osteoporosis;
• The first to establish guidelines for long-term treatment and exercise;
• The first to introduce fracture risk assessment.

OC is a registered charity governed by a national voluntary Board of Directors. A Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) — medical and scientific experts from across the country — provides guidance in all medical matters,¹ including the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention in Canada.⁵

1.2 Vision, Mission and Values

1.3 Strategic Goals & Key Priority Areas (2024–2029)

At its 2024 Annual General Meeting, OC unveiled the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan with three core strategies:³

Impact goal by 2029: more people, in more communities, diagnosed and treated for osteoporosis and related fractures, with Canadians having the information, tools and resources to optimize their bone and muscle health.³ Note that secondary fracture prevention — your screening role — is listed first under Core Strategy 1.

1.4 Programs and Services Overview

OC provides medically accurate information to patients, providers and the public: educational programming, support services, webinars, podcasts, digital tools, and a bilingual toll-free information line.¹

1.5 Website

• Main site: osteoporosis.ca
• Healthcare provider portal: osteoporosis.ca/healthcare-providers
• FLS resources: osteoporosis.ca/fls-fracture-liaison-service

Summary — Key Takeaways

• OC (est. 1982) is the only national organization serving people affected by osteoporosis in Canada — and was the world’s first.¹
• Vision: Canada Without Fragility Fractures · Mission: empower Canadians to optimize bone and muscle health · Values: respect, integrity, inclusivity, innovation.³
• Three core strategies 2024–2029: Drive + Guide Fracture Reduction · Optimize Bone and Muscle Health · Drive Organizational Resilience.³
• Secondary fracture prevention is a named national priority — your screening role operationalizes the strategy.³
• Know your toolkit: 2023 CPG, FRAX/CAROC, Too Fit To Fracture, FLS Hub, plus patient supports (info line, COPN, calculators).^1,4,5