Further, osteoporosis—an ailment characterized by diminished bone density—represents a serious health threat among adults, especially women. It is estimated that about 27 percent of U.S. women aged 65 and older have osteoporosis according to recent research. At the same time, almost 6 percent of older men live with this debilitating condition as well. As we age, so does our population, making early intervention and awareness around bone health more important than ever.
Women 65 and older should be routinely screened for osteoporosis. This screening is critically important. It enables healthcare providers to determine which patients are at high risk of bone fracture (brittle bones) and the need for osteoporosis medications. Bone density testing is an essential part of the process in locating at-risk individuals and ensuring they receive needed interventions as early as possible.
Nicole Wright, an osteoporosis epidemiologist at Tulane University in New Orleans, emphasizes the importance of proactive measures concerning bone health. “We need to be thinking about it because there are things we can do,” she stated, highlighting that awareness and intervention can make a significant difference.
… of postmenopausal women between ages 50 and 64… … … experience a significant increase in their risk of developing osteoporosis. This increased risk can be attributed to hormonal shifts at this life stage. Bone density typically decreases by an average of 2 percent per year. This decrease starts approximately one year prior to their final menstrual period and lasts about two years post-menopause. This is greatly attributed to dropping estrogen levels, which are vital in keeping our bones strong and preventing the development of osteoporosis.
Even with these known risks, researchers warn that existing osteoporosis risk prediction tools fall short. Results recently released in JAMA Network Open show that these tools do not measure up. They fail to accurately predict who will go on to develop osteoporosis or experience fragility fractures.
Keep in mind that many of these fractures, especially fragility fractures are due to falls,” noted Kristine Ensrud. She is a general internist and epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis. The consequences of hip fractures can be catastrophic. Nearly 20 percent of individuals die within a year following these injuries, and of the survivors, just 40 to 60 percent are ever able to walk again as they did prior to the break.
Wright says that women don’t think about their bone health until after menopause. She thinks changing this approach is vital to achieving more positive, long-term results. “Here comes menopause and now we all have osteoporosis,” she remarked. She emphasizes that younger women can’t afford to neglect their bone health, either. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that younger women should not be concerned about their bone health,” she added.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable information on osteoporosis. This data gives us a clearer picture of just how common the condition is among U.S. women and men. This data underscored the importance of public health efforts. We need to raise awareness among people about the need to build healthy bones at every age.
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