Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density that can occur as people age. It is responsible for over a million broken bones each year, and is a major cause of fractures, back pain, spinal problems and loss of independence. Ten million Americans are living with osteoporosis today, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that by the year 2020 one in two Americans over age 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis. With the aging of the baby boomers, awareness of the disease becomes ever more important.

Risk Factors:

Increasing age:  Affects 54 million adults 50+ ; over 16% over 65 but for women it is 25%; Adults 80+ 25% have it but women it is 35%

• 79% higher fracture rate for women

• 90% w/hip fractures hospitalized

• 30% w/hip fractures die w/in year

• 19% of all developed pressure sores

• 15% suffer one or more additional/ bone breaks

We start by knowing who is at greatest risk.

References:

www.nof.org  National Osteoporosis Foundation

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (www.bones.nih.gov )

www.mayoclinic.org