Worldwide osteoporosis, in which the bones with insufficient mineral become fragile and fracture easily, affects one in two women over age 50 (more than breast cancer) and one in of four men over age 50 (more than prostate cancer).
Osteoporosis-related fractures have almost doubled in the last decade. One in every three women over age 50 will suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis.
In the USA, more than 1.5 million fractures each year are caused by osteoporosis. Today, 10 million Americans already have osteoporosis and 18 million more have low bone mineral mass, placing them at increased risk for fracture. The rate of osteoporosis-related fractures and the costs of caring for these fractures are expected to rise by almost 50% to more than three million fractures costing $25.3 billion by 2025.
A hip fracture is considered the most preventable cause of seniors’ loss of independence -- up to 50% of people suffering a hip fracture are never able to walk independently again.
The frequency of hip fractures from osteoporosis will double in Asia and Latin America in the coming decades.
