Vienna (OTS) – Vitamin D and its functions for the organism are particularly in focus in the darker seasons. In order to give those interested a quick and easy way to know their vitamin D status, the Goldenes Kreuz health network and its partner pharmacies organized a week of action with free tests and advice from November 13th to 18th, 2023. The result: More than half of the participants actually had a deficiency in the vitamin at the beginning of the “winter season”.
Vitamin D is essential for our body. It helps preserve teeth, is important for the immune system and can protect against acute respiratory infections. It is also important for bone health. With the campaign week from November 13th to 18th, 2023, the Goldenes Kreuz health network, supported by Solarvit®, offered health-interested pharmacy customers in Vienna and the surrounding area low-threshold and uncomplicated access to vitamin D tests, including competent advice.
Vitamin D deficiency at the start of winter not as widespread as expected – but 53% undersupplied
The offer for free determination of vitamin D levels and intensive advice was taken up by a total of 745 people. When evaluating the collected results, it was found that around 53% of all people tested had an undersupply of vitamin D. Of these, 10% were referred to the family doctor primarily due to vitamin D deficiency in combination with long-term medication or a particularly severe deficiency.
„Around half of the people tested actually showed a vitamin D deficiency
“, sums up Mag. Erika Sander, Secretary General of the Austrian Society of the Golden Cross. “However, the proportion of people with low vitamin D levels was not as large as expected. This can be attributed to two factors: firstly, the timing of the campaign week at the beginning of winter after a particularly sunny autumn, and secondly, the intensive advice already provided by the partner pharmacies throughout the year. Nevertheless, checking your individual status, especially at the beginning of winter, offers a good basis for preparing for the season with little sun and counteracting any impending shortage at an early stage.
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Importance of a good vitamin D supply in old age
The results of the campaign week show great interest in the 50+ age group. This group accounted for 61% of the tests performed. “Knowledge about the individual vitamin D status is particularly important for the older population,” emphasizes Sander. “Experts assume that 95% of all older people have very low vitamin D levels. A sufficient supply of vitamin D is particularly essential to minimize the risk of bone fractures, loss of strength and restrictions in mobility and balance. With our campaign week and the certainty we gain about your personal vitamin D level, we create the basis for targeted treatment of a deficiency.
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Action weeks with a focus on topics
The campaign week complements the basic offering of the Golden Cross health network, which connects doctors and pharmacies. It covers the areas of health checks, vaccination advice, medication management and complementary medicine and therefore goes beyond the average spectrum of a pharmacy. This means that customers and patients are cared for in an uncomplicated, professional manner and during pharmacy opening times.
Those interested can visit the website www.gesundheitsnetz-goldeneskreuz.at You can easily find the nearest pharmacy using the search function, check what they have to offer and contact them straight away.
The participating partner pharmacies
The vitamin D week with a focus on advice and free tests took place in these pharmacies:
• Alte Leopoldsapotheke, Plankengasse 6, 1010 Vienna
• Rotunden Pharmacy, Exhibitionstraße 53, 1020 Vienna
• Aeskulap Pharmacy, Kardinal-Nagl-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
• Pharmacy at the Kettenbrücke, Kettenbrückengasse 23, 1050 Vienna
• Pharmacy am Spittelberg, Stiftgasse 23, 1070 Vienna
• Josefinen Pharmacy, Sechsschimmelgasse 17, 1090 Vienna
• Wienerberg Pharmacy, Tesarekplatz 1, 1100 Vienna
• Pharmacy at Liesingbach, Himberger Str. 35, 1100 Vienna
• Kurapotheke Oberlaa, Kurbadstraße 14, 1100 Vienna
• Laughing Penguin Pharmacy, Hohenbergstrasse 11, 1120 Vienna
• Pharmacy at Lainzer Platz, Lainzer Str. 139, 1130 Vienna
• Ameis Pharmacy, Linzer Straße 140, 1140 Vienna
• Adler Pharmacy, Kirchstetterngasse 36, 1160 Vienna
• Bach Pharmacy, Steinbruchstrasse 6, 1160 Vienna
• Apotheke Neuwaldegg, Neuwaldegger Straße 2, 1170 Wien
• St. Martin Pharmacy, Jörgerstraße 24, EKZ, 1170 Vienna
• Gersthofer Pharmacy, Gersthofer Straße 61, 1180 Vienna
• Pharmacy for Good Hope, Rathstraße 16, 1190 Vienna
• Billroth Pharmacy, Billrothstrasse 39, 1190 Vienna
• Citygate Pharmacy, Wagramer Straße 195/47, 1210 Vienna
• Pharmacy in the Andromeda Tower, Donau-City-Straße 6, 1220 Vienna
• Pharmacy Zum Löwen von Aspern, Groß-Enzersdorfer Straße 4a, 1220 Vienna
• Seestadt Pharmacy, Maria-Tusch-Straße 12, 1220 Vienna
• Pharmacy Mistelbach, Hauptplatz 36, 2130 Mistelbach
More information also at www.gesundheitsnetz-goldeneskreuz.at
Photos can be found at this link: https://we.tl/t-EIv15BEF0G
About the Austrian Society of the Golden Cross
The Austrian Society of Golden Crosses (ÖGGK) looks back on a 130-year history and has been dedicated to the topic of health since its founding in 1893. For a long time known primarily as the sponsor of the Goldenes Kreuz private clinic, the company now focuses on health promotion and prevention as a non-profit organization. Under the motto “We accompany you through life – through all phases of life and in all areas of life.” ÖGGK offers health offers in the areas of nutrition or exercise, benefits in the medical field, lectures and events in the art and culture sector. www.oeggk.at
Questions & Contact:
Austrian Society of the Golden Cross
Mag. Miriam Eder, MA
PR & Communication
01/ 996 80 92 – 40
does@oeggk.at
www.oeggk.at