DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR THE PREVENTION OF HIP-FRACTURES IN THE ELDERLY DUE TO OSTEOPOROSIS - THE APPLICATION OF ECONOMICS TO THE FINDINGSFROM A CLINICAL-TRIAL

The occurrence of a fracture is the most obvious manifestation of oste oporosis. Preventive measures can reduce the risk of such events. The cost of preventing fractures depends on the cost and effectiveness of the intervention and the cost associated with treating the fractures. This paper aims to develop a framework for commissioners to evaluate n ew technologies by integrating the evidence on effectiveness with the costs likely to be incurred in providing interventions and the probabl e benefits generated. The explicit aim is to show how the effectivenes s of an intervention designed to prevent hip fractures in the elderly, combined with an analysis of its potential economic impact, can provi de an indication of how quality improvements in health-care provision and cost savings may be generated.