The Federal Government has launched a national action plan for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition where bones become brittle, leading to a higher risk of breaks than in normal bones.

The Government has launched its new National Strategic Action Plan for Osteoporosis, which it says addresses the urgent challenges and burden of osteoporosis across Australia.

The $4 million plan will focus on increased awareness, education and prevention of osteoporosis, including improved diagnosis and management, and care of people with, or at risk of, osteoporosis.

Of this, $3 million is being released from the Medical Research Future Fund for a pilot project for the Primary Care Fracture Liaison Service, aimed at reducing further risk of breaking bones and significantly decreasing the burden of osteoporosis.

An additional $500,000 is being provided directly to Osteoporosis Australia, and $500,000 will be made available through a competitive grant to assist awareness and education work.

In 2017–18, more than 1.2 million Australians self-reported that they had osteoporosis, and it is estimated a further 6.3 million people have low bone density.

Osteoporosis is more common among women, affecting 6.2 per cent of females compared with 1.5 per cent of males. As with many chronic conditions, osteoporosis is prominent among older Australians, with 86 per cent of people affected being aged 55 years or over.