ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans or 55% of the people 50 years of age and older. In the United States today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease, and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. In 2005, osteoporosis-related fractures were responsible for an estimated $19 billion in costs. By 2025, experts predict that these costs will rise to approximately $25.3 billion (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2008).
