It is reported by almost 50 percent of people age 65 and older. Although some significant research holds out hope for new treatments, until they come into use, the demographics of an aging population indicate that by 2020 an estimated 60 million Americans, or more than 18 percent of the population, will be affected by arthritis. Today, arthritis is the leading cause of disability. It is a more frequent cause of limitation of activity than heart disease, cancer or diabetes. It is second to heart disease in causing work disability.
Arthritis is the second most frequently reported chronic condition.
The condition accounts for 39 million visits to physicians and more than 500,000 hospitalizations. In the last few years, public education campaigns have been launched to encourage increased consumption of calcium to prevent osteoporosis and for good reason. The Academy is developing a public education program on osteoporosis as well as a program aimed at encouraging orthopaedic surgeons to be aware of the diagnostic and treatment strategies for the bone disease. Hip fractures are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis and are more likely to lead to functional impairments than other serious medical conditions, including heart attack, stroke and cancer. Two-thirds of the people who fracture a hip do not return to their prefracture level of functioning.