Osteoporosis and low bone mass are risk factors for fractures that have been elevated to the level where they are now considered to be diseases themselves, requiring medical treatment. The link between fractures -- particularly death following hip fractures -- osteoporosis, low bone mass and menopause have been exaggerated and as a result, the fear of osteoporosis has become extremely wide-spread. The steps that women can take, throughout their lives, to reduce their risk of hip fracture are rarely and only incompletely discussed. And at the same time the side effects of the medications being promoted to treat low bone mass have been minimized. This presentation will take a critical look at current health care practices relating to prevention of bone fractures, viewing it as part of the overall trend toward the overmedicalization of prevention. It will address overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low bone mass and osteoporosis, highlighting problems with bone density screening and medications used to treat low bone mass and examining the overselling of osteoporosis. It will also outline ignored risk factors for fractures which can be changed, such as medications and environment. Finally it will include information about strategies to prevent low bone mass and to do long-term planning for fracture prevention.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. identify risk factors for bone fracture in women 2. distinguish between risk for bone fracture and risk for loss of bone density 3. discuss current practices regarding bone fracture prevention 4. analyze marketing strategies of drugs for prevention of bone loss
Keywords: Women's Health, Disease Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.