Summary:
In this episode of Spine-Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Paul Anderson from the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Benjamin Elder from the Mayo Clinic to challenge the widespread misconception that osteoporosis is exclusively a women’s disease.
The discussion focuses on the underrecognized reality of male osteoporosis and its significant impact on spinal health, revealing critical gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment that put millions of men at risk.
Key myths addressed:
- Osteoporosis significantly impacts men, with approximately 25% of men over 50 developing the condition. At least 2 million American men currently have osteoporosis, with another 12 million at risk with low bone mass.
- Men over 50 are more likely to experience an osteoporosis-related fracture than to develop prostate cancer. The one-year mortality rate for men who suffer hip fractures is twice that of women, making male osteoporosis a critical health concern.
- Vertebral compression fractures are among the most common osteoporotic fractures in both sexes.
This episode debunks the dangerous myth that osteoporosis primarily affects women, revealing it as a significant and under-addressed health threat for men. With proper awareness, screening, and treatment, the devastating consequences of male osteoporosis can be prevented or significantly reduced.
NSHF’s male Osteoporosis campaign was made possible in part by an educational grant provided by Radius Health.
