This article is from the WebMD Medical News Archive

Oct. 14, 2004 -- Half of all Americans over 50 may be at risk for broken bones caused by osteoporosis and low bone mass by 2020 if they don't take action to protect their bone health, according to a new surgeon general report.

The report warns that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 34 million are at risk for the bone-weakening disease.

The first report on bone health issued by the surgeon general says osteoporosis and other bone diseases can trigger a downward spiral in physical health and quality of life, such as loss of the ability to walk, stand up, and dress yourself, and can lead to early death.

Findings of the bone health report include:

• About 20% of senior citizens who suffer a hip fracture die within a year of fracture.
• About 20% of individuals with a hip fracture end up in a nursing home within a year.
• Hip fractures account for 300,000 hospitalizations each year.
• The direct-care costs for osteoporosis-related fractures are $18 billion each year. That number is expected to increase if action to prevent osteoporosis is not taken now.

"Osteoporosis isn't just your grandmother's disease. We all need to take better care of our bones," says Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, in a news release. "The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health. With healthy nutrition, physical activity every day, and regular medical checkups and screenings, Americans of all ages can have strong bones and live longer, healthier lives."

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