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 report, like the 1997 version, 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.
Reference: National Osteoporosis Foundation
http://www.nof.org/advocacy/prevalence/index.htm
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