Epidemiology of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem because of its association wi th fracture. Future risk of fracture may now be predicted by the use of non invasive techniques for the measurement of bone mineral density. Some of th e risk factors for peak bone mass, involutional bone loss, and fracture are now characterized. Innovative agents are being developed for the retardati on of bone loss so that it is becoming possible to develop preventive strat egies for the entire population and those at highest risk.