Osteoporosis does not discriminate, but affects men and women; young and old. Over fourteen million people currently have osteoporosis. And triple that amount of people has a low bone mass. 68% of those are women. By the year 2020 half of all Americans will have a low bone mass or osteoporosis.
One out of every two women will have an osteoporosis related fracture sometime after the age of 50. 25% of the women over the age of 50 who fracture a hip will need long-term nursing care. Over half of the women who fracture a hip due to osteoporosis will not be able to walk without assistance. Additionally, approximately 25% who have a hip fracture die within one year.
One out of four men will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis. One-third of hip fractures suffered by men are related to osteoporosis and one-third of these men die within the first year after the fracture. Half of all men who suffer from a hip fracture are discharged to a nursing home. 79% percent of those who survive for one year after a hip fracture still live in nursing homes or intermediate care facilities.
