The Sant Joan les Fonts and Vall de Bianya town councils, in collaboration with OAFI, assess the osteoarticular health of 127 people in the Garrotxa region.

The initiative, developed by the OAFI Foundation in collaboration with the town councils of these two municipalities, has helped identify risk factors related to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and strengthen prevention and self-care.

The International Osteoarthritis Foundation, OAFI, has presented the results of the osteoarticular health prevention and screening campaign carried out at the Casal de la Gent Gran de la Canya. A total of 127 people took part, mainly from Sant Joan les Fonts and Vall de Bianya, as well as Sant Esteve de Llémena.

The participants had an average age of 65.4 years, and 76% were women, one of the groups at greater risk of experiencing problems related to loss of bone density, particularly after menopause.

The results were presented at a meeting held this summer at Sant Joan les Fonts Town Council. Participants included Dr Josep Vergés, President of the OAFI Foundation; Dr Glòria Bassets, Director of Primary Care at Hospital d’Olot i Comarcal de la Garrotxa; Maria Vidal, Mayor of Sant Joan les Fonts; Irene Roura, Councillor for Health and Community Wellbeing at Sant Joan les Fonts Town Council; and Marc Toboso, Mayor of La Vall de Bianya.

Osteoarticular health: quick and non-invasive tests

The campaign aimed to bring the prevention and early detection of osteoarticular conditions closer to the population. The screening included an initial questionnaire on medical history, fracture risk and the presence of pain; body composition measurement; and an ultrasound densitometry of the calcaneus, a test that assesses bone mineral density through the heel.

Data were also collected on the location and intensity of joint pain and, in the case of women, on symptoms related to the climacteric. These are quick and non-invasive tests that make it possible to detect risk indicators and guide people who require further assessment by healthcare professionals.

Once the data have been analysed, OAFI prepares personalised reports with the results and recommendations on nutrition, physical activity, weight management, rest, mental health and fall prevention. When the tests identify risk factors, consulting medical staff or other specialised professionals is recommended.

Prevention in a region with a progressively older population

The prevention of osteoarticular conditions is particularly relevant in the Garrotxa region. According to the demographic study prepared by OAFI based on 2024 data, 25,670 residents of the region are over the age of 50, representing 41% of the population. People over the age of 65 account for 21% of the total.

In Sant Joan les Fonts, 44% of the population is over the age of 50, while in Vall de Bianya this percentage is 42%. This context reinforces the need to promote initiatives that facilitate early detection, encourage healthy habits and help preserve the population’s autonomy and quality of life.

The initiative carried out in la Canya exemplifies the collaboration between the town councils, primary care services, the Garrotxa County Council and the OAFI Foundation to bring preventive measures closer to the local community and improve osteoarticular health.

The International Osteoarthritis Foundation, based in the Garrotxa region to take osteoarticular health to another level

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects more than 595 million people worldwide — especially women — and has a direct impact on the autonomy, mobility and emotional wellbeing of those who suffer from it. In Spain, more than 7 million people have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and more than 3 million with osteoporosis. Although it is often associated with ageing, increased life expectancy and certain sporting practices have led to it being increasingly detected in young people and athletes.

The International Osteoarthritis Foundation, OAFI, is the only independent non-profit foundation worldwide focused on supporting people with osteoarthritis. Internationally renowned and a leader in the treatment of these conditions, it was founded in Barcelona in 2016 by Dr Josep Vergés with the aim of promoting awareness, education, prevention, treatment and research in joint health. At the same time, its objective was to support and provide solutions to people suffering from this condition so that they can relieve their pain and improve their quality of life.

Over the past 10 years, it has led disease awareness programmes to raise awareness in society and reduce the number of people affected. As part of its expansion and joint work with the local community, this September the foundation will open its second headquarters, located in the rectory of Sant Esteve de Llémena, within the municipality of Sant Aniol de Finestres. Casa OAFI, organised in coordination with the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia, will offer specialised medical care, workshops, informative talks and outreach activities open to the public.

Over the past year, the foundation has already carried out free prevention and early detection tests to support osteoarticular health throughout the Garrotxa region.

Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa

Av. Onze de Setembre, 22 – 17800 Olot – Tel. 972 27 49 00 – www.garrotxa.cat

Àrea de comunicació i relacions institucionals (Isa Danés) – comunicacio@garrotxa.cat – 633 49 50 73