This measure provides an estimate for the incidence of the most adverse outcome of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a significant problem that is usually preventable.
It affects more than 28 million people in the U.S. 1 and costs the nation in excess of 13.8 billion dollars annually. It results in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture, causing more than 1.5 million fractures annually. While it is true that women suffer disproportionately from the disease, men are at significant risk as well. The risk for osteoporosis rises with age, and with the aging of the population, a significant increase in osteoporosis is expected. However, a substantial percentage of osteoporosis is thought to be preventable.