Racial and ethnic differences in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue in the United States. This common and costly disease is a major cause of disability in elderly women. Although advances have been made in awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, osteoporosis remains a silent and underdiagnosed disease for many women. However, osteoporosis is particularly underdiagnosed in women in racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Even though the opportunity for prevention is great, disparities in incidence, awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes exist across racial and ethnic lines.