Social inequalities in incidence and consequences of fragility fractures

2021.10.06 | Graduate School of Health

On Wednesday 27 October at 11:00, Gitte Hoff Valentin defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Social inequalities in incidence and consequences of fragility fractures".

The overall aim of the PhD dissertation was to establish the impact of socio-economic status on fragility fracture incidence and outcome. Knowledge of the impact of socio-economic status on the incidence and consequences of fractures among elderly is important to inform future health policy aiming to reduce cost and suffering associated with fractures.

The research project was based on systematic reviews and analyses of survey data from more than 100,000 Danes aged 50 years or more. The project found that individuals with low socio-economic status have higher risk of fragility fractures as well as higher risk of dying after a hip fracture comparted with individuals with high socio-economic status. Furthermore, we found that postfracture physical as well as mental health was lower among individuals with low socio-economic status than among individuals with high socio-economic status. Disparities in health behaviour can explain a large amount of the social inequalities in fragility fracture incidence.

These findings call for increased awareness of individuals with low socio-economic status in an effort to prevent future fractures and improve health and longevity for those who have suffered a fragility fracture. The effort should include population-based measures aiming to facilitate healthier life style choices throughout the life (e.g. reduce smoking, alcohol intake, poor nutrition and physical inactivity) as well as specific initiatives targeted at individuals at high risk of fragility fractures. The latter should include nationwide implementation of a coordinated multi-disciplinary fracture prevention program and increased awareness of special care and rehabilitation needs in individuals with low socioeconomic status following a fracture. 

The summary is written by the PhD student.   

The defence is public and takes place in Meeting Room 2, Konferencecenteret, Studenternes Hus, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 2-4, Aarhus C and online via Zoom. Please read the attached press release for more information. 

Contact:

PhD student Gitte Hoff Valentin

Mail: Gitte.valentin@rm.dk

Phone: (+45) 24276188

Read full press release