The economics of osteoporosis prevention.

Until recently, it was generally assumed that the prevention of a significant proportion of osteoporotic fractures could only be achieved through the use of hormone replacement therapy soon after menopause. It is likely to be more cost-effective, however, if antifracture therapy could be undertaken among older, higher risk populations. Recent evidence suggests that there are a number of effective interventions that can be used among the over-65 age group, and the economic evidence supports the view that this is likely to be the best way forward for fracture prevention.