NOF Releases Survey Showing Few Women Believe They Are at Risk for Osteoporosis, Despite Staggering Prevalence Numbers

4/6/2004

From: Lynn Chard-Petrinjak of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 202-223-2226

WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Even though the majority of women aged 45 and older have at least two risk factors for osteoporosis, only 15 percent of those women not diagnosed by a doctor believe they are at risk for the disease, according to a new survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs and Media on behalf of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).

NOF prevalence estimates show the number of women age 50 and older who have osteoporosis or are at risk for developing the disease will increase from almost 30 million in 2002 to over 35 million in 2010. Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a devastating disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected. The survey tested women's knowledge of osteoporosis, the actions they take to keep bones healthy, their overall concerns about aging, the information sources they rely on and their perception of personal risk of developing osteoporosis. The survey was funded as part of a grant that NOF received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging.

"Women need to know their health risk for osteoporosis and what they can do to prevent the disease," said Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging. "While we know that effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies exists for osteoporosis, many women have not taken action. At AoA, we want to reverse this trend. We want women empowered on this issue and we want them taking action to prevent this debilitating disease," Carbonell added.

Women Express Little Concern About Risk of Bone Loss

"Women do not perceive themselves to be personally at risk for osteoporosis, even though one in two women aged 50 and older will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Women age 45 and older may be aware of osteoporosis, but do not relate that awareness to their own risk," said Judith Cranford, Executive Director, NOF.

"We need to bridge the gap between perception and reality that is underscored by this survey, and encourage women to assess their personal risk and take the preventative steps that can help them to protect their bones including speaking to their healthcare professional," said Bess Dawson-Hughes, MD, President, NOF.

When asked to identify their level of concern about a range of common health issues -- only 62 percent -- said they were "very or somewhat concerned" about their risk of bone loss.

The Top Risk Factor

The top risk factor cited for osteoporosis among survey respondents was having normal or early menopause. Other risk factors -- increasing the likelihood for developing osteoporosis -- were being small boned or thin, having a family history of osteoporosis, a history of smoking, leading a sedentary or inactive lifestyle and currently smoking cigarettes.

Women Are Not Talking With Their Doctor

Many women, more than four out of ten, are not talking to their doctor about osteoporosis or keeping their bones healthy. Over half - 54 percent - of the women age 45 to 54 are not doing so due to a lack of concern about the issue or a belief that their doctor would bring it up "if it were important."

Recognizing the Importance of Early Diagnosis and Testing

Regardless of age, the women surveyed are aware that early diagnosis and having a bone density test are important. But, nearly four in ten have not had a bone density test. Bone density tests, which measure the amount of bone in different parts of the skeleton and can predict risk of future fracture, become more common when women reach 55 years of age.

About the Survey

A total of 500 telephone interviews of women who were representative of all women 45 years and older were conducted from July 8 through August 12, 2003. The sampling was a random digit dialing system that includes all telephone households in the United States, both listed and unlisted. The sample for this survey was drawn from this frame using probability selection procedures, since the findings are to be statistically projectable to all women 45 years and older. The margin of sampling error is plus/minus four percentage points of the total sample.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation is the leading national nonprofit health organization solely dedicated to promoting lifelong bone health in order to reduce the widespread prevalence of osteoporosis and associated fractures, while working to find a cure for the disease through programs of research, education and advocacy. For more information on the survey and osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment, please go to http://www.nof.org.