Preventive Strategies and Health Promotion Initiatives for Osteoporosis in the United States

Abstract

This review critically examines the preventive strategies and health promotion initiatives implemented to mitigate osteoporosis in the United States (US). Osteoporosis, a progressive bone disease characterised by low bone mineral density, poses a significant public health challenge due to its association with an increased risk of fractures, particularly in the elderly and postmenopausal women. In a high-income country like the US, with population ageing becoming a major public health concern, the prevention and control of osteoporosis and its related health consequences have become paramount. This review highlights the rising prevalence of osteoporosis, leading to substantial healthcare costs in the US, where it impacts approximately 54 million adults over the age of 50, contributing to over two million fractures annually. It also details various initiatives and organisations working to address this problem. These include the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF), which focuses on public education and advocacy, and government-led programs such as Healthy People 2030 and initiatives by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). These efforts aim to enhance screening, promote bone health, and support osteoporosis prevention and treatment research. Despite such efforts for several decades, the burden of osteoporosis does not seem to have declined. Many initiatives operate independently, leading to overlapping activities, redundant research, and fragmented outreach efforts. By fostering stronger partnerships and creating a more unified national strategy, these organisations could pool resources, share data more effectively, and streamline their health promotion activities. The review's findings underscore the importance of continued investment in public health strategies to manage the growing burden of osteoporosis in the US population, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised.