Bone Health Roundtable: Importance of Women’s Bone Health Throughout the Lifespan

April 19, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. — Bone Health Roundtable (Day 1)

April 20, 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. — Bone Health Roundtable (Day 2)

Approximately 54 million Americans have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis – a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. Risk of bone fracture is higher in women compared to men, in part, because women tend to have smaller, thinner bones and due to the influence of estrogen – a hormone whose protective effects change throughout the life-course, especially after menopause. Bone mass is also affected by genetic and environmental factors such as ancestry, nutrition, and physical activity.

Breaking a bone is a serious complication of osteoporosis, and approximately half of all women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. In older adults, complications related to a broken bone can be life threatening and result in a need for long-term nursing care. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 50% of repeat fractures could be avoided with both cost- effective and well-tolerated treatments. Shifting from a reactive break-and-fix model to one that centers around predictive and preventive bone health and wellness could substantially decrease the clinical and public health burden of bone fractures and diseases.