Talking Women article

Each month Medical Observer features an article written by the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health. These articles include full references. Find here the article relevant to bone health. If you would like to see the list of all articles please go here.

Is fracture prevention failing?

Improved fracture prevention is needed to protect more vulnerable patients from the morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis is second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading healthcare problem, affecting 2.2 million Australians. The numbers are expected to increase to three million by 2021, mainly due to increasing longevity. This places a considerable burden on our healthcare system, with an estimated $1.9 billion in direct costs and $7.4 billion in indirect costs spent on osteoporosis annually. About 30%-50% of women and 15%-30% of men will suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis in their lifetime. Those at highest risk are women older than 65 with low bone density and preexisting fracture. Indeed, after just one vertebral fracture, another is up to five times more likely within a year.

Full article and references are available at 2009 May - Is fracture prevention failing?

If you would like to see the list of all articles please go here.

Content updated October 19, 2010