The National Osteoporosis Society is delighted that legendary soap, Coronation Street, will be raising the issue of osteoporosis in a forthcoming storyline.
More than 3 million people in the UK are affected by osteoporosis, with a fracture occurring every two minutes in people over the age of 50.
The charity provided information to Coronation Street on osteoporosis. The storyline, featuring Corrie returnee Cilla Battersby-Brown, comes hot on the heels of a recent report published by the National Osteoporosis Society highlighting how many sufferers are unwilling, or embarrassed, to talk about osteoporosis.
The charity hopes that having such a prominent storyline in a major soap will encourage people to find out more about osteoporosis and help break the silence that shrouds the condition.
Claire Severgnini, Chief Executive of the National Osteoporosis Society, said: “We’re really excited to see osteoporosis getting such significant coverage. We really need people to talk about osteoporosis to understand what it is to know their risk. If we don’t talk about it, it will never get the attention it deserves. We’re very grateful to Coronation Street for providing the opportunity to help raise awareness this way.”
Osteoporosis can lead to dramatic changes in body shape and depression caused by living with long-term, unmanageable pain, unemployment, social isolation and failed relationships.
The report has shown that of all the people surveyed from the North-West, where Coronation Street is set, 17% are in unbearable pain from their osteoporosis most of the time.
But there are things that can be done: talk to the National Osteoporosis Society or visit their website to find out more about the condition and the support available from their free, downloadable leaflets & factsheets.
Cilla’s shock revelation will come only months after Jean Alexander who played Hilda Ogden, revealed she suffered from the condition and had lost four inches in height.
Older people with one or more long-term conditions such as osteoporosis account for around 70% of all hospital admissions and 70% of total NHS spending. This clearly demonstrates that with concern escalating over our ageing population, osteoporosis needs to be prioritised as a matter of urgency.
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