New report identifies widespread underdiagnosis, gaps in screening and care, health disparities and opportunities for national action
November 12, 2026 (Arlington, VA) – The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) has released the Bone Health and Osteoporosis National Indicator Report: A Public Health Surveillance and Indicator Analysis, the first national public health indicator report focused specifically on osteoporosis and fractures in the United States.
The report brings together national data on the prevalence and burden of osteoporosis and low bone mass, risk factors, screening and treatment, fracture prevention, health disparities and access to care. It also identifies opportunities for health care professionals, public health leaders and policymakers to strengthen prevention, improve early identification and treatment, and expand access to coordinated care following a fracture.
“Osteoporosis is a significant and often overlooked public health issue that affects millions of Americans, their families and our health care system,” said Claire Gill, CEO of BHOF. “This report provides a national framework for understanding the burden of the disease and explains why it needs to be a national policy priority.”
Among the findings highlighted in the report:
- Approximately 55% of U.S. adults aged 50 and older have low bone mass or osteoporosis.
- Approximately 69% of people with osteoporosis are undiagnosed. Among men with osteoporosis, that figure rises to nearly 87%.
- Osteoporosis leads to more than 2 million fractures annually in the United States.
- An economic analysis cited in the report estimated that osteoporotic fractures resulted in more than $57 billion in annual clinical and societal costs in 2016. That burden was projected to exceed $95 billion by 2040.
- Significant disparities in screening, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes persist across gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status and geographic regions.
“Most Americans with osteoporosis remain undiagnosed, even though more than half of adults aged 50 and older have low bone mass or osteoporosis,” said Ami Patel, vice president of science and education at BHOF. “This report shows clinicians where patients are being missed, encourages people to ask about screening before a fracture occurs and gives policymakers evidence they can use to act.”
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone loss can progress without symptoms until a fracture occurs. These fractures can lead to chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and premature death. Yet many people who are at increased risk do not receive recommended screening, and most who experience a fracture are not evaluated or treated for osteoporosis afterward.
“Behind every statistic in this report is a person whose independence and quality of life can be deeply affected by a fracture,” said Andrea Medeiros, MPH, vice president of public health and policy at BHOF. “We must make it easier for people to understand their risk, access screening and treatment, and receive coordinated care after a fracture.”
The report outlines opportunities for action across the continuum of bone health and fracture prevention. Recommendations include:
- Expanding public education about osteoporosis risk factors and the importance of bone-healthy nutrition, physical activity and fall prevention.
- Increasing appropriate screening and fracture risk assessment, particularly among populations that are underserved or less likely to be diagnosed.
- Increasing treatment initiation and supporting long-term adherence to prescribed therapies.
- Expanding coordinated post-fracture care, including fracture liaison services that identify and support patients following a fracture.
- Addressing geographic, socioeconomic and other barriers that contribute to disparities in screening, diagnosis and treatment.
- Strengthening national data collection to monitor progress and guide public health action.
- Establishing reimbursement pathways and payment mechanisms that support osteoporosis screening and coordinated care after a fracture.
These recommendations align with the Healthy People 2030 objectives to improve osteoporosis screening and post-fracture treatment and reduce osteoporosis and hip fractures among older adults.
Rather than presenting the results of a single new study, the report synthesizes information from nationally recognized sources, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, health care quality measures, economic analyses and peer-reviewed research. Together, these sources provide a broad national view of the current state of bone health and osteoporosis prevention and care in the United States.
The full Bone Health and Osteoporosis National Indicator Report is available at bonesource.org/bone-health-osteoporosis-national-indicator-report.
About the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (formerly the National Osteoporosis Foundation)
Established in 1984, the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, promoting strong bones for life and reducing human suffering through public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information, visit bonehealthandosteoporosis.org.
Media Contact
Carina May
cmay@bonehealthandosteoporosis.org
703-740-1764