by John R. Lee, M.D.* June 30, 1995 The costs and health effects of osteoporotic fractures in the US are enormous. A study by the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, U. of Iowa, recently calculated that the life time risk of any fracture of the hip, spine or distal forearm is almost 40% in white women and 13% of men from age 50 years onward. Hip fractures account for 67-79% of fracture-related dependent functioning, 87-100% of fracture-related nursing home placements, and 87-96% of short-term fracture costs. 1 The total cost of fracture care is now about $9 billion/year. It is estimated that about 350,000 hip fractures occur per year and the incidence is rising. In an effort to treat osteoporosis and prevent […] Read More