Shift workers urged to lighten up for bone health

Nurses, aged-care staff and other shift workers must take action on their bone health, Australian experts have warned.

Ahead of Healthy Bone Action Week, which runs throughout the first week of August, Dr Belinda Beck, from Griffith University and co-founder of The Bone Clinic, said some healthcare professionals are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis due to the nature of shift work.

“If most of a person’s awake hours are at night, they will miss opportunities to derive vitamin D from the sun, and vitamin D is essential to bone health,” Beck said, adding it’s often difficult for nurses and other shift workers to find the time to exercise.

Nursing Review sat down with Beck to discuss strategies to improve bone health and the impact the interventions can have on people with osteoporosis.

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