Many women don't take precautions against osteoporosis

AORN Journal, Sept, 2004

Most women are not taking adequate steps to prevent osteoporosis, a highly preventable and treatable disease, according to a May 5, 2004, news release from the National Women's Health Resource Center. Left untreated, osteoporosis can cause bone weakness, and one in two women older than age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during her Lifetime.

A telephone survey of 1,008 women ages 40 and older found that

* 59% of the participants had not asked their physician about bone health or had a bone mineral density (BMD) test;

* 65% were aware that osteoporosis can be deadly, but only 1% were concerned that they may die from the disease; and

* although 90% had at Least one contributing risk factor for osteoporosis, nearly two-thirds of the participants did not believe they were at risk for developing the disease.

Risk factors include being menopausal or postmenopausal, having a small body frame, smoking, and having a family history of osteoporosis.

Ninety percent of the women surveyed were taking calcium supplements to protect against bone loss, but for women in their postmenopausal years, this intervention may not be enough. Other steps that can be taken to reduce the risk for disease include dietary changes, exercise, and prescription medications.

Women Recognize Potentially Devastating Effects of Osteoporosis but May Not Be Doing Enough (news release, Washington, DC: National Women's Health Resource, May 5, 2004) http://www.healthywomen.org/content.cfm?L1=5& L2=4&RID=7324 (accessed 13 May 2004).