The Global Healthy Living Foundation Australia (GHLF Australia) has joined forces with The Bone Bus to enhance the provision of bone health services in rural areas.

This collaboration falls under GHLF's global osteoporosis initiative, Strong Bones & Me, and aims to improve access to bone density screening and education, particularly for women on Flinders Island, Tasmania.

Rural populations in Australia often face significant barriers to healthcare access, a challenge that this partnership seeks to address.

The Bone Bus, a mobile unit offering bone density screening (DEXA) scans, will now extend its services through GHLF's network, providing free scans to eligible individuals and raising awareness about bone health and osteoporosis.

GHLF executive director and co-founder Louis Tharp said: “This partnership is a significant step in our mission to improve access to healthcare for all, especially those in remote and rural areas.

“By bringing The Bone Bus to Flinders Island, we’re ensuring that people who might not have easy access to bone density screenings and information about chronic conditions like osteoporosis can receive the care they need.”

Osteoporosis can be exacerbated by chronic conditions and treatments, such as long-term corticosteroid use for managing rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and severe thyroid eye disease.

This partnership will not only offer screening but also educational resources and support for individuals with co-conditions, emphasising the importance of healthy ageing.

By combining resources, GHLF Australia and The Bone Bus aim to deliver comprehensive bone health services to communities that have traditionally been underserved.

The initiative represents a significant step towards improving health outcomes for those living with chronic illnesses in remote areas of Australia.