Introduction: Osteoporosis is recognized by the World Health Organization as a disease associated with the progress of civilization, also called the 'epidemic of the 21 st century'.
Objective: An attempt to portray the level of knowledge and health behaviours of societies of selected countries of the world in the prevention of osteoporosis, based on available studies.
Materials and method: Theoretical concepts and reviews of current published studies.
Results: Accessible study findings conducted worldwide are not exhaustive and often present the subject in a fragmentary way. Data presented in the presented article shows that knowledge of osteoporosis among the Polish population and the population of selected countries of the world appears insufficient in the issues associated with its prophylaxis and prevention; they also testify to a disregard and lack of application of the principles of a healthier lifestyle in daily life regarding this still little-known illness. Since the number of people threatened with osteoporosis, as well as the number of bone fractures, is constantly rising, versatile action should be undertaken aimed at preventing falling ill and progression of the disease.
Conclusions: After reviewing the literature, it was realized that few researchers have been interested in the issue of osteoporosis. This fact is proved by an insufficient amount of publications dealing with the subject and the problem associated with osteoporosis from the point of view of the public. The findings of presented study show that most often the subject is not portrayed as a whole, but concerns only selected preventive behaviours or learning about some risk factors.