Fitness for reducing osteoporosis.
The incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures increase substantially with age in both women and men ((1)), such that one in five women older than age 50 has osteoporosis ((2)). This translates to nearly 1.5 million fractures of all types attributable to osteoporosis each year in the United States, a total that exacts an astounding toll on healthcare costs. Postfracture outcomes are also disappointing. Less than one third of those who fracture their hip recover sufficiently to do basic and instrumental activities of life ((3)). Many become dependent on others for their care. Finally, the mortality rate of those with hip fractures from osteoporosis is higher than that of their unaffected peers ((4)).
Christmas
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Johns Hopkins Geriatric Center, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. cchristm@jhmi.edu.