The Scale of Osteoporosis in America
About 10 million Americans have osteoporosis right now, and another 43 million have low bone density that puts them at risk. That means roughly one in three adults over 50 has either the condition or the early stage that comes before it. The numbers are not evenly spread: women account for about two-thirds of all osteoporosis cases, partly because bone loss accelerates after menopause when estrogen drops.
These figures come from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which track the condition through national health surveys and hospital records. The actual number of people living with osteoporosis has grown over the past two decades as the population ages, and projections suggest it will keep rising unless prevention efforts expand.
Key Takeaways
- Approximately 10 million Americans currently have osteoporosis, with another 43 million at risk due to low bone density.
- Women make up about two-thirds of osteoporosis cases, especially after age 50 when bone loss accelerates.
- One in three adults over 50 has either osteoporosis or the precursor condition called low bone density.
- The number of people with osteoporosis is expected to increase as the population ages, unless prevention and treatment rates improve.
- Osteoporosis causes about 2 million fractures per year in the United States, though not all fractures are diagnosed as osteoporosis-related.
Who Gets Osteoporosis Most Often
Age and sex are the strongest predictors. Women over 50 and men over 70 face the highest risk, but osteoporosis can develop at any age. Women are hit harder because estrogen, which helps maintain bone density, drops sharply during menopause. Men lose bone more slowly over time, but when they do develop osteoporosis, fractures tend to be more severe.
Other factors that raise your risk include a family history of osteoporosis, a small or thin frame, certain medications (especially corticosteroids used for asthma or rheumatoid arthritis), low calcium or vitamin D intake, and conditions that affect how your body absorbs nutrients. Smoking and heavy alcohol use also speed up bone loss. Race matters too: white and Asian women have higher rates than Black or Hispanic women, though all groups can develop the condition.
How Many People Break Bones from Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes roughly 2 million fractures each year in the United States. The most common sites are the hip, spine, and wrist. Hip fractures are the most serious: they almost always require surgery and often lead to long-term disability or loss of independence. Spine fractures can happen without a fall — sometimes just from a cough or minor bump — and they cause chronic pain and loss of height.
Not every fracture in someone with osteoporosis is counted as osteoporosis-related in official statistics, so the true number may be higher. Many older adults with low bone density fracture a bone and never get a bone density test, so their osteoporosis goes undiagnosed. This means the 2 million figure is a floor, not a ceiling.
Osteoporosis Rates by Age and Gender
Osteoporosis becomes more common with each decade of life, and the gap between men and women widens until around age 80. Women in their 50s face a much lower risk than women in their 70s or 80s, but the acceleration is steep. Men's rates climb more slowly but catch up somewhat after 80, when fracture risk becomes significant even without a formal osteoporosis diagnosis.
| Age Group | Women with Osteoporosis | Men with Osteoporosis |
|---|---|---|
| 50–59 | About 1 in 32 | About 1 in 200 |
| 60–69 | About 1 in 12 | About 1 in 100 |
| 70–79 | About 1 in 4 | About 1 in 50 |
| 80+ | About 1 in 3 | About 1 in 25 |
The jump in rates after age 70 reflects the cumulative effect of bone loss over decades. Women in their 80s have the highest prevalence of any group. These numbers show why screening recommendations start at age 65 for women and age 70 for men — by then, the risk is high enough that knowing your bone density can guide treatment decisions.
Regional and Demographic Differences
Osteoporosis is not evenly distributed across the country. Rates tend to be higher in the Northeast and Midwest, though this partly reflects older populations in those regions. When age is controlled for, regional differences shrink. Socioeconomic status also plays a role: people with lower incomes are less likely to be screened for osteoporosis and less likely to receive treatment, even when they have the condition.
Access to bone density testing (DEXA scans) varies widely by geography and insurance coverage. Rural areas often have fewer imaging centers, which means people there may not know they have low bone density until after a fracture occurs. This gap in screening means the true prevalence in underserved areas may be higher than reported figures suggest.
How Osteoporosis Numbers Are Measured
The figures cited by public health agencies come from two main sources: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which tests a representative sample of Americans for bone density, and hospital discharge data that tracks fractures. NHANES provides the most reliable snapshot because it includes people who have never been diagnosed, not just those who sought medical care.
A bone density test (DEXA scan) measures bone mineral density and compares it to a healthy young adult. Results are reported as a T-score. A T-score of –2.5 or lower means osteoporosis; between –1 and –2.5 means low bone density. These definitions are standardized, so numbers are comparable across studies and over time. However, not everyone with low bone density gets tested, so the actual number of people at risk is likely higher than surveys capture.
What These Numbers Mean for Prevention and Treatment
With 10 million people already diagnosed and 43 million more at risk, osteoporosis is a major public health concern. Yet many people with the condition do not know they have it because they have never broken a bone and have never been screened. This is especially true for men, who are screened far less often than women despite facing serious fracture risk after 70.
The large number of people with low bone density (the precursor stage) means there is a window for prevention. Adequate calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can slow or stop bone loss. For those already diagnosed with osteoporosis, medication can reduce fracture risk. The challenge is reaching people before they fracture, which requires wider screening and awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is osteoporosis more common now than it was 20 years ago?
The number of people with osteoporosis has grown, but this is largely because the population is older. When age is accounted for, rates have been relatively stable or have declined slightly in some groups, thanks to better nutrition and more awareness. The total number will continue to rise as baby boomers age.
Why do women get osteoporosis more than men?
Women lose bone density much faster after menopause because estrogen levels drop sharply. Men lose bone more gradually throughout life and do not experience a sudden hormonal shift. However, men over 70 face significant osteoporosis risk and are often under-screened, so many cases go undiagnosed.
What percentage of people over 50 have osteoporosis or low bone density?
About one in three adults over 50 has either osteoporosis or low bone density. This means roughly 33% of the population in that age group is affected. The percentage is higher for women and increases with each decade of age.
Can you have osteoporosis without knowing it?
Yes. Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because there are no symptoms until a fracture occurs. Many people have low bone density or early osteoporosis and never know unless they are screened with a bone density test. This is why screening is recommended for all women over 65 and men over 70.
Are osteoporosis rates higher in certain countries?
Rates vary globally and depend on age structure, nutrition, physical activity, and healthcare access. Developed countries with older populations tend to report higher rates, but this partly reflects better screening and diagnosis. Developing countries may have equally high rates that go undiagnosed.