Osteoporosis---is it really preventable?

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in Hong Kong. For instance, in 1995, a total of 3783 hip fractures occurred, with an associated acute care cost of HK$150 million. Thirty percent of elderly women in Hong Kong are known to have one or more vertebral fractures. The main risk factors for osteoporotic fracture in the Hong Kong Chinese population include a low dietary calcium intake, an inactive lifestyle, smoking, and frequent falls. Prevention for high-risk individuals involves the bone mineral density measurement followed by drug treatment. In a population-based approach, the entire population is targeted for the removal of risk factors. Osteoporosis in Hong Kong is potentially preventable, provided that the medical profession and the public can be motivated to participate, and adequate resources allocated for its prevention and treatment.