Osteoporosis: the hidden danger to our bones

Osteoporosis is a rheumatic bone disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people in Switzerland – in many cases without them even knowing it. The condition progresses unnoticed, and is often only detected when someone breaks a bone. With your community coins from SWICA Benevita, you can support the Rheumaliga Schweiz (Swiss Rheumatic League) with early detection and support for sufferers, helping them to enjoy greater stability and security. Together, we can strengthen bones.

Overview

Osteoporosis: a common and underestimated condition

Osteoporosis is underdiagnosed in Switzerland and is often detected late. Stable bones are crucial for mobility, security and independence, particularly in older age.

There are more than 600,000 women in Switzerland who would benefit from osteoporosis treatment but who are not receiving it. The consequences are serious and include falls, fractures, pain, loss of independence and significant social costs. That is why the Rheumaliga is on a mission to raise awareness about osteoporosis. 

This disease, which makes bones porous and unstable, does not only affect older people. In particular, the risk increases sharply for women around the menopause. Early prevention through exercise, nutrition and medical investigation is crucial, as is proper follow-up after diagnosis.

What your community coins are doing

Your community coins enable the Rheumaliga Schweiz to provide targeted support, advice and day-to-day help to people who have or are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. For example:

  1. Early detection: The Rheumaliga is developing a digital osteoporosis risk check (to be rolled out from summer 2026) that gives people an initial assessment of their bone health.
  2. Education about the condition: In summer 2026, the Rheumaliga is bringing out a new pamphlet on osteoporosis and a podcast episode on the topic of menopause.
  3. Promoting movement for bone strength: Osteogym courses around the country and online exercise videos help patients to strengthen their bones in a targeted manner. Strength training and balance in particular are central to the prevention of fractures.
  4. Advice on improving day-to-day quality of life: Specialists from the Rheumaliga offer telephone or face-to-face advice on topics such as calcium supplements, exercise and adjusting to a diagnosis, bringing together medicine, psychology, physiotherapy and nutrition.

About the Rheumaliga Schweiz

The Rheumaliga Schweiz is the national specialist centre for rheumatic diseases, a category which includes osteoporosis. It fills gaps in care with education, exercise and advice for patients and specialists.

It is the umbrella organisation of 17 cantonal and six national patients’ organisations. This charitable organisation has devoted decades to improving the quality of life of people with rheumatic conditions.

These are some 200 different diseases of the musculoskeletal system, i.e. affecting the muscles, tendons, joints, bones or connective tissue. Sufferers often experience severe pain and restricted movement – and even organs can be affected. About two million people live with rheumatic conditions in Switzerland. They include children and adolescents: one in 1000 children suffers from a rheumatic disease.

You can find more information at rheumaliga.ch.

Facts about osteoporosis

Causes
Bone density decreases with age. Hormonal changes, lack of exercise, insufficient calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency and genetic factors can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Excessive alcohol and nicotine consumption are considered risk factors for men and women alike.
Asymptomatic progression
Osteoporosis doesn’t hurt. It’s not until a bone breaks that pain is felt. That is why the disease often goes unnoticed until a bone in the thigh, vertebrae or wrist is fractured.
Consequences
Fractures lead to pain, immobility, fear of further falls and a loss of independence. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.
Exercise and nutrition
Muscle-building and intensive exercise have been shown to strengthen the bones. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is also crucial.
Early detection
Early detection by a GP, especially where risk factors exist, prevents complications.

Past successful projects

These donation projects have already been supported with the help of your community coins.

Protecting native wild bees with Benevita: Your contributions enabled the WWF project “Nature creates connections” to successfully plant hedges, look after pastures and biodiverse meadows, and conduct public awareness campaigns.

More about this project
Your community coins supported WWF's educational and political activities. The donations also supported efforts to promote renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. All these measures may help to reduce glacial melting.

More about this project
Peatlands cover just 3% of the world's land area but store twice as much carbon as all of the world's forests put together. However, these fragile ecosystems are under threat from overexploitation. In addition to raising awareness, WWF is using the community coins to actively conserve and manage intact peatlands.

More about this project
Seen as a tree of the future, the silver fir is a climate-resistant alternative to the endangered spruce. With your community coins you can support the WWF on "Tannätag", a volunteer-led initiative in which silver fir stands are maintained.

More about the project
The aim is to reintroduce salmon to Swiss rivers and lakes. Your community coins benefited WWF's Salmon Comeback, an initiative committed to making obstacles such as power plants surmountable for fish and promoting the rewilding of rivers.

More about this project
The charitable organisation Pro Audito provides support for people with hearing problems. Your community coins went directly towards funding its work, which includes improving access to hearing aids and providing training and day-to-day assistance for sufferers.

More about this project
Dreaming and making dreams come true. A Million Dreams has dedicated itself to this task. The organisation fulfils the dreams of disadvantaged people and encourages everyone to pursue their own dreams and find their personal happiness.

More about this project
The non-profit organization Pink Ribbon is committed to breast cancer prevention. It raises awareness of the disease through creative, high-impact initiatives such as the Pink Ribbon Walk at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium.

More about this project
Sports Aid supports young emerging talents as well as performance-driven elite athletes on their journey to success.

More about this project

SWICA and Sports Aid Switzerland: partnering for passion in sports

Regular exercise is a key foundation of a healthy life, which is why SWICA has long been dedicated to encouraging an active lifestyle. And when the joy of movement grows into real ambitions, Swiss Sports Aid is there to provide support. The partnership with Benevita reaches the peak of perfection when aspiring athletes inspire others to get active as well.

Benefits of Benevita

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges

Get actively involved in breast cancer prevention. The Benevita app offers interesting and practical challenges on this topic – from instructions on self-examination to tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges

Get actively involved in breast cancer prevention. The Benevita app offers interesting and practical challenges on this topic – from instructions on self-examination to tips for a healthy lifestyle.