Osteoporosis is a medical condition where bones become weak and more prone to fractures, especially of the hip, spine, and wrist.
This “silent disease” is more common in women. It affects almost 20% (1 in 5) of women aged 50 and over and almost 5% (1 in 20) of men aged 50 and over. Many people with osteoporosis do not know they have it until they break a bone. Nearly 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries have died from complications within 12 months after an osteoporotic fracture — and more than 60% were women. Screening is important to help individuals take steps to decrease the effects of osteoporosis.
This fact sheet is from the SWHR Women’s Health Equity Initiative, which highlights data on women’s health in the United States and aims to provide solutions to improve health equity across diseases, conditions, and life stages.
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