Half Of Americans Older Than 50 May Be At Risk
The Surgeon General has warned that by 2020, half of all Americans older than 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass if no immediate action is taken by:
- individuals at risk
- doctors
- health systems
- policymakers
The warning is published in an October 2004 report, Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General.
Report Findings
The report says that 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, the most common bone disease, while another 34 million are at risk for developing osteoporosis. And each year, roughly 1.5 million people suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis. This report is the first-ever Surgeon General's report on the topic of bone health. Osteoporosis and other bone diseases can lead to a downward spiral in physical health and quality of life, including losing the ability to:
- walk
- stand up
- dress
Bone disease can also lead to premature death.
Other Findings
Other findings in the report include:
- 1 in 5 older Americans who suffer a hip fracture die within a year of the fracture.
- 1 in 5 people with a hip fracture end up in a nursing home within a year.
- Hip fractures account for 300,000 hospitalizations annually.
The Surgeon General hopes the report will shape the way Americans approach, talk, and act about bone diseases since many diseases are preventable including:
- obesity
- many types of cancer
- osteoporosis / bone disease
Improving Bone Health
Osteoporosis isn't just your grandmother's disease. According to the report, we all need to take better care of our bones. The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health. Americans of all ages can have strong bones and live longer, healthier lives with:
- healthy nutrition
- regular physical activity
- regular medical checkups and screenings
Likewise, if it is diagnosed in time, osteoporosis can be treated with osteoporosis medications that help prevent bone loss and rebuild bone before life-threatening fractures occur.
Osteoporosis Misconceptions
According to the report, osteoporosis is a "silent" condition because many Americans are unaware that their bone health is in jeopardy. In fact, the number of people who have osteoporosis is much greater than the number who report having the disease--four times as many men and nearly three times as many women. One of the most dangerous myths about osteoporosis is that only women need to worry about bone health. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, and while bone weakness is more common in older Americans, building strong bones begins in childhood.
Osteoporosis Prevention
The surgeon general's report is a call for Americans to take action to improve and maintain healthy bones. The report includes recommendations on what Americans can do to decrease the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.
Get the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
High levels of calcium can be found in milk, leafy green vegetables, soybeans, yogurt, and cheese. Vitamin D is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun and is found in fortified milk and other foods. For people who are not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet, supplements may be helpful.
Weight control and physical activity
Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes daily for children. Include weight-bearing activities to improve strength and balance.
Preventing slips and falls
Take steps to minimize the risk of falls by removing items that might cause tripping, improve lighting, and encourage regular vision tests and exercise to improve balance and coordination. Slips and falls have many causes, but usually have one thing in common, they could have been prevented.
Bone Density Tests
The report also calls on health care professionals to help Americans maintain healthy bones by evaluating risks for patients of all ages and recommending bone density tests for women over the age of 65 and for men and women over 50 who suffer even a minor fracture. Bone density tests use X-rays or sound waves to measure how strong the bones are. These tests are quick, safe, and painless.
