Facts and Statistics

• Lifetime risk - 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience osteoporotic fractures.
• Osteoporosis affects an estimated 75 million people in Europe, USA and Japan
• 30% of women and 20% of men over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures.
• Women who develop a vertebral fracture are at substantial risk for additional fracture within the next year.
• The combined lifetime risk for hip, forearm and vertebral fractures is around 40%, equivalent to the risk for cardiovascular disease.
• In white women, the lifetime risk of hip fracture is 1 in 6, compared with a 1 in 9 risk of a diagnosis of breast cancer

Risk Factors

• If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, you are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
• The older you are the greater risk you have of thinning bones.
• Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis because of the changes that occur during menopause.
• If you have a family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture.
• Caucasian and Asian women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Small-boned women weighing less than 127 pounds are at greater risk.
• Early menopause brought on naturally or because of surgery increases your risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Low Calcium and/or Vitamin D intake
• If you have or are currently taking Prednisone or other corticosteroids for a long time.

NOTE: Facts and Figures from International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation