Government backing stronger bones for women, addressing 2-in-5 missing vital bone tests

New report reveals diagnosis gap as national campaign boosts early testing & prevention for women 50+

Two-in-five (40 per cent) Australians who experience a fracture from a minor fall have never had a bone density test, missing the chance to detect and treat osteoporosis early.1 Healthy Bones Australia and the Albanese Government are joining forces to turn the tide, launching a national drive to boost awareness, prevention and early testing, targeting women most at risk.

The Albanese Government today announced a $700,000 investment in Healthy Bones Australia’s national awareness and education campaign during Osteoporosis Awareness Month. The expanded initiative will fund mobile bone density testing across regional communities and drive a nationwide campaign encouraging Australians aged 50 and over, especially women, to complete the Know Your Bones online self-assessment.

Today’s funding announcement coincided with the release of the Know Your Bones Community Risk Report (Fourth Edition) by Healthy Bones Australia at a Parliamentary Friends of Bone Health event in Canberra.

Based on data from more than 126,500 Australians, Healthy Bones Australia’s report revealed nearly half of all minimal trauma fractures occur in adults aged 50 to 69 – a window when early detection and treatment can make a significant difference.1 The report further identified a gap in fracture care, with only 14 per cent receiving osteoporosis medication post-fracture.1

Women are especially vulnerable to osteoporosis, with hormonal changes after menopause accelerating bone loss and increasing the risk of serious fractures that can limit mobility and independence.2 Despite this, testing and treatment rates remain low.3 The latest Community Risk Report calls for unified national action: every fracture should trigger a bone health assessment, ensuring Australians receive the care they need before minor injuries can lead to life-altering events.4

By extending its investment, the Albanese Government is strengthening its efforts to close this gap – expanding access to testing, improving community awareness, and supporting primary care to identify and manage at-risk patients earlier. The new funding ensures women, particularly those in regional areas, can access vital testing and information to protect their bones.

Assistant Minister for Health, Ageing and Women, the Hon Rebecca White MP, joined Olympic Gold Medallist and Know Your Bones Ambassador Sally Pearson OAM, alongside leading doctors and advocates at Parliament House today, to call for earlier testing, heightened awareness, and stronger prevention of osteoporotic-related fractures.

Ms Pearson said the findings highlight the need for Australians to take bone health seriously. During her athletics career, she sustained a complex wrist fracture after clipping a hurdle – an experience that fuels her advocacy today.

“As an athlete, I’ve seen how serious and disruptive these injuries can be. As an ambassador, I often speak with people who share their stories of difficult recoveries from unexpected fractures.

“Fractures can happen to anyone and can change your life in an instant. Completing the Know Your Bones self-assessment is a simple first step to understanding your risk and starting a conversation with your doctor,” said Ms Pearson.

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