European Vitamin D Deficiency Maps Highlight Serious Bone Health Issue

Global research for 17 countries in Europe extrapolates potential cost savings to healthcare systems of up to € 187 billion if the problem of vitamin D deficiency is addressed.

3/30/2011 --- First findings of new vitamin D deficiency maps launched by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) reveal that older people across Europe are not getting enough vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, and which helps to prevent falls and fractures linked to osteoporosis. The maps reveal that in every European country analyzed to date, vitamin D levels are classified as ‘insufficient’ or ‘inadequate’ amongst older people1. In the European Union, someone has a fracture as a result of osteoporosis every 30 seconds, and with an ageing population, the yearly incidence of hip fracture alone in the EU is expected to more than double over the next decade.

Global research for 17 countries in Europe extrapolates potential cost savings to healthcare systems of up to € 187 billion if the problem of vitamin D deficiency is addressed. Vitamin D improves bone mineral density, which lowers risks of fracture, whilst also improving muscle strength, balance and leg function. Natural production of vitamin D through sunlight decreases with age, and it is very difficult to achieve sufficient vitamin D through diet alone, which is why older people are particularly at risk.

The IOF and project partner DSM, support an increase in recommended vitamin D intake levels in Europe. They jointly call for evidence-based proposals of 1,000-2,000 IU per day, especially for risk groups such as the elderly and post menopausal women. They have also launched a joint ‘call to action’ together with other patient alliances, which urge Europe’s health care decision makers to recognise the vital role of micronutrients in preventive health.

Prof. Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, DrPH, Director Centre on Aging and Mobility, University of Zurich commented: “Vitamin D supplementation offers an effective, inexpensive and safe public health strategy to reduce 20% of falls and fractures, including those at the hip, in a growing senior segment of the European population. This is an enormous public health benefit we could implement now.” Dr Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice President Nutrition Science & Advocacy DSM commented: “There is clear evidence of a vitamin D deficiency gap in Europe especially amongst older people, and we are urging for the purposes of this project, the blood concentrations of vitamin D are categorized as ‘desirable’ above 75nmol/L, ‘’ inadequate between 50 and 75, ‘insufficient t’ between 25 and 50, and ‘deficiency’ below 25nmol/L.

Vitamin D deficiency maps highlight serious bone health issue for older people policymakers to take action to close this gap, by recognizing the important role of vitamin D in preventive health.” Judy Stenmark, COO of the International Osteoporosis Foundation commented: “These new maps are a vital tool in helping us understand the scale of vitamin D deficiency. With Europe’s growing ageing population the simple message to increase vitamin D intake can make a dramatic difference to people’s health outcomes and quality of life, as well as potentially reduce a huge disease burden on healthcare systems worldwide.” Mary Honeyball MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Osteoporosis group added: “Osteoporosis is a major public health problem, with enormous social and economic impact, and yet it is frequently low on the list of healthcare priorities. As policymakers, we all have to start waking up to the importance of prevention, and look at the important role that good nutrition can play in stopping this problem in its tracks.”

On the occasion of Biovision, the 7th World Life Sciences Forum, patient organizations, EGAN (the patient’s network for medical research and health); the IGA (International Genetic Alliance); the IOF (International Osteoporosis Foundation); Preparing for Life; Kraft Foods; Unilever; Sight and Life; GAIN and DSM, joined forces to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition in promoting public health and reducing risks of chronic or genetic diseases.

All partners have co-signed a ‘call to action’ urging Europe’s health ministers to:

•Implement campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of micronutrients in the diet
•Ensure that health professionals fully understand the consequences of micronutrient deficiency
•Promote research in the field of nutrition
•Provide fact-based information on the role of micronutrients in minimizing disease burden and
saving on healthcare costs
•Ensure health professionals can offer effective nutrition care programs to patients.

Promoting public, private, partnerships, the signatories invite Europe’s health ministers, the WHO and the European Commission to work together to increase quality of life for patients, and achieve cost-effective disease prevention. It also calls for a ‘scaling-up’ of fortification or supplementation programs in high risk groups to tackle specific population based health problems.