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Surgeon General turns national focus on osteoporosis
Direct costs for osteoporotic fractures are up to $18 million each year, expected to increase if preventive action is not taken now.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from the U.S. Surgeon General warns 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 those at risk and by doctors, health care systems and policymakers.
This new report, “Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General,” issued in October, states that 10 million Americans older than 50 have osteoporosis. Another 34 million are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Each year, roughly 1.5 million people suffer a bone fracture related to osteoporosis, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Human Services.
This report is the first-ever Surgeon General’s report on the topic of bone health. “This report will shape the way we approach, talk and act about bone diseases,” HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. “The more we learn, the more we realize that so many diseases are preventable, from obesity to many types of cancer and now bone disease. … I look forward to the impact this new information will make in the health of communities.”
Other findings in the report:
- About 20% of senior citizens who suffer a hip fracture die within a year of the 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 osteoporotic fractures alone are already up to $18 million each year. That number is expected to increase if action to prevent osteoporosis is not taken now.
Never too old or too young
“Osteoporosis isn’t just your grandmother’s disease. We all need to take better care of our bones,” said Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD. “The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health.
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“Osteoporosis isn’t just your
grandmother’s disease. We all need to take better care of our
bones.” |
“With healthy nutrition, physical activity every day, and regular medical check-ups and screenings, Americans of all ages can have strong bones and live longer, healthier lives. Likewise, if it’s diagnosed in time, osteoporosis can be treated with new drugs that help prevent bone loss and rebuild bone before life-threatening fractures occur.”
The report states that osteoporosis is a silent condition because many people are unaware that their bone health is in jeopardy. In fact, four times as many men and nearly three times as many women have osteoporosis than report having the condition.
The Surgeon General’s report is a call for Americans to take action to improve and maintain healthy bones, and includes the following recommendations:
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. The average adult under 50 needs about 1000 mg of calcium per day and 200 IUs of vitamin D. (One cup of vitamin D-fortified milk provides 302 mg of calcium and 50 IUs of vitamin D.)
Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children, including weightbearing activities to improve strength and balance.
Take steps to minimize the risk of falls by removing items that might cause tripping, improving lighting, and encouraging regular exercise and vision test to improve balance and coordination.
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The report calls on health care professionals to help Americans maintain healthy bones by evaluating risks for patients of all ages, recommending bone density tests for women over the age of 65 and for any man or woman who suffers even a minor fracture after the age of 50. |
The report calls on health care professionals to help Americans maintain healthy bones by evaluating risks for patients of all ages, recommending bone density tests for women over the age of 65 and for any man or woman who suffers even a minor fracture after the age of 50.
In addition, the report calls on health care professionals to look for “red flags” that may indicate that someone is at risk, including people who are under 50 who have had multiple fractures, or patients who take medications or have a disease that can lead to bone loss.
“All health care professionals need to be aware of the early indicators of bone disease,” said Lawrence Riasz, MD, of the University of Connecticut Health Center, one of the scientific editors of the report.
“Many of my patients had no idea their minor fracture was an indication of a larger problem. The health care system can do a better job of helping patients protect themselves from bone disease,” Riasz said.
Carmona said that 30 years ago, “doctors thought weak bones and osteoporosis were a natural part of aging, but today we know they are not. We can do a lot to prevent bone disease. Everyone has a role to play in improving bone health, and this report is a starting point for national action on bone health.
“Let’s get started by taking action today in homes, health care settings, and communities across our nation,” Carmona said.
Information for patients
In addition to the release of the report, the Surgeon General has published a companion “People’s Piece” specifically written for patients. The magazine-style, full-color booklet offers ready-to-use information on how people can improve their bone health.
The free People’s Piece, “The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What It Means To You,” is available by calling tollfree 1-866-718-BONE or by visiting www.surgeongeneral.gov.