About 10 million people have osteoporosis and another 18 million have low bone mass. Osteoporosis is a major concern for non-white men and women. A broad spectrum of diseases and medications can lead to osteoporosis. There is a need for more research on how estrogen alone or in combination with other treatments reduces the incidences of fractures. Fall prevention should also be studied.
More research is needed on vertebral or spinal factures, as opposed to hip fracture.
Nursing home residents should be included in future research trials. Researchers must also study the most effective method of educating the public and health care professionals about osteoporosis. While the consensus panel did not set guidelines for assessing osteoporosis, the National Osteoporosis Foundation called for osteoporosis risk assessment as a routine part of physicals. Also see hip fracture story, p. 40. .