The lengthening of life expectancy has resulted in an increased incidence of diseases associated with aging such as diabetes and osteoporosis.
The global epidemic of obesity and diabetes (diabesity) has lead to the World Health Organisation declaring that obesity and its consequences are major killer diseases of the millennium. A total of 250 and 400 million adults have diabetes and obesity respectively and the prevalence of these chronic metabolic diseases will double in the next 10-20 years.
Diabetes is associated with a reduced lifespan mainly due to cardiac disease. Osteoporosis is associated with substantial increases in mortality and morbidity and affects one in two women and one in three men over the age of 60 years. Fragility fractures of the hip and spine require acute hospitalisation and rehabilitation and patients often loose their independence following a fracture. These chronic and complex diseases consume significant health resources, funds and manpower.
It is imperative that the underlying mechanisms which predispose and give rise to these conditions be understood so that a wide range of effective and safe treatments can continue to be developed. Translating research into effective clinical care for these chronic conditions remains a major challenge for the 21st century.
