What is Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mass, which makes bones fragile and susceptible to fracture.
Fractures can result in loss of height, pain, and deformity.
Furthermore, as African-American women age, their risk of developing osteoporosis more closely resembles the risk among white women. Recent scientific studies highlight the risk that African-American women face with regard to developing osteoporosis and fracture. Approximately 300,000 African-American women currently have osteoporosis. African-American women are more likely than white women to die following a hip fracture. As African-American women age, their risk for hip fracture doubles approximately every seven years.