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America's Bone Health: The State of
Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass
America's Bone Health:
The State of Osteoporosis and Low Bone
Mass In Our Nation is an update to the
National Osteoporosis Foundation's (NOF)
first prevalence report published in
1997. This updated report was published in 2002. Like the 1997 version, this report highlights the estimated number
of women and men aged fifty and older in
the United States who have or are at
high risk for developing osteoporosis
due to low bone mass. Prevalence
estimates are based on 2000 Census data
and are presented for the year 2002,
2010 and 2020. In addition, for the
first time, statistics are broken out by
Congressional district and major
metropolitan areas. Among the
highlights:
Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass - Females
and Males
- Osteoporosis and low bone mass are
currently estimated to be a major public
health threat for almost 44 million U.S.
women and men aged 50 and older.
- The 44 million people with either
osteoporosis or low bone mass represent
55 percent of the people aged 50 and
older in the United States.
- By the year 2010, it is estimated that
over 52 million women and men in this
same age category will be affected and,
if current trends continue, the figure
will climb to over 61 million by 2020.
- In 2002, it is estimated that over 10
million people already have
osteoporosis. Approximately eighty
percent of these people are women. This
figure will rise to almost 12 million
individuals by 2010 and to approximately
14 million by 2020 if additional efforts
are not made to stem this disease, which
may be largely prevented with lifestyle
considerations and treatment when
appropriate.
Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass - Females
- The number of women age 50 and older who
have osteoporosis or are at risk for
developing the disease will increase
from almost 30 million in 2002 to over
35 million in 2010 and to approximately
41 million in 2020.
- Of these women, approximately 8 million
are estimated to have osteoporosis in
2002. This figure is expected to rise to
over 9 million by 2010 and to well over
10 million by 2020.
- Women with low bone mass are estimated
at almost 22 million in 2002, almost 26
million in 2010 and over 30 million in
2020.
- Non-Hispanic white women are
disproportionately afflicted with this
disease, but the number of women of
other races and ethnic groups is also
significant.
Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass - Males
- Men with osteoporosis and low bone mass
total over 14 million in 2002. This
figure is expected to increase to over
17 million in 2010 and to well over 20
million in 2020.
- The prevalence of low bone mass in men
is much greater than those figures
published in the 1997 report due to
newer research. Almost 12 million men
are now estimated to have low bone mass.
By 2010, this figure is expected to
climb to over 14 million and reach over
17 million men by 2020.
- The prevalence of osteoporosis is
estimated at over 2 million men in 2002,
almost 3 million in 2010 and well over 3
million men in 2020.
- The number of men of all races and
ethnic groups who are affected is
significant.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Osteoporosis is not part of normal aging
although many people continue to believe
this is true. A long term, national
effort is needed to educate younger
generations so they will have the
opportunity to achieve and maintain
optimal peak bone mass and reduce the
risk of subsequent osteoporotic
fractures later in life. Concomitantly,
a comprehensive national effort aimed at
the prevention, diagnosis and treatment
of osteoporosis and related fractures is
necessary to address this debilitating
and costly disease.
Additional research is needed on the
prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone
mass in the U.S. population - especially
as it applies to men and various ethnic
populations. It is also necessary to
more fully understand the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Prevalence
The following chart illustrates the
estimated prevalence of osteoporosis and
low bone mass in the U.S. population
through the year 2020.
Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Low Bone
Mass in People Aged 50 and Over*
| |
2002 |
2010 |
2020 |
| Osteoporosis
and Low Bone Mass in
Women and Men |
43,600,000 |
52,400,000 |
61,400,000 |
| Osteoporosis
in
Women and Men |
10,100,000 |
12,000,000 |
13,900,000 |
| Low
Bone Mass in Women and Men |
33,600,000 |
40,400,000 |
47,500,000 |
| Women
With Osteoporosis or
Low Bone Mass |
29,600,000 |
35,100,000 |
40,900,000 |
| Women
With Osteoporosis |
7,800,000 |
9,100,000 |
10,500,000 |
| Women
With Low Bone Mass |
21,800,000 |
26,000,000 |
30,400,000 |
| Men
With Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass |
14,100,000 |
17,300,000 |
20,500,000 |
| Men
With Osteoporosis |
2,300,000 |
2,800,000 |
3,300,000 |
| Men
With Low Bone Mass |
11,800,000 |
14,400,000 |
17,100,000 |
*The above figures
have been rounded.
 The
prevalence figures in this report are
estimates derived from the most
up-to-date information available. The
figures signal that significant numbers
of Americans have osteoporosis or are at
risk for developing the disease.
Order a
copy of this important report
on-line or
call toll-free 877-868-4520. Media
inquiries, please contact
communications@nof.org for
additional information. |
