With osteoporosis, it's as if the holes in the sponge become larger and more numerous. So the bones become weaker and weaker and much more likely to break. White women are at greater risk than Black women for hip fracture due to osteoporosis. The death rate for Black women who break their hips is higher than the death rate for white women. The bone density of 1 in 4 Black women is below the average bone density of white women.
Hispanic women are at similar risk for fractures as white women.
Bone density measurement is the most accurate way to determine if you have osteoporosis. The test takes only a few minutes. Taking estrogen is the single most important thing a woman past menopause can do to prevent osteoporosis. Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium. Have at least one or two servings of low-fat milk, cheese or other dairy products every day.