Commentary: male osteoporosis-policy gaps in prevention and treatment.
Osteoporosis is a disabling disease affecting 10 million Americans, leading to increased risk of fractures and poor functional ability. Although typically thought of as a women's disease, millions of men are diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone mass, and the risk for osteoporotic fractures is increasing. To address undetected and untreated osteoporosis among men, public health education should be targeted to males. Insurance programs, including Medicare, should add the heel qualitative ultrasound (QUS) for age-eligible men with follow-up every 2 years. Policy changes should address funding of targeted education and prevention programs for aging males, including coverage of screening tests.
Marx
Katherine A
KA
Doctoral Candidate, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, USA. katherine.marx@erickson.com
Quinn
Charlene C
CC