Thomas Daschle: “it is estimated that up to 50 percent of the women alive today will experience at least one serious osteoporosis-related…”

“it is estimated that up to 50 percent of the women alive today will experience at least one serious osteoporosis-related fracture during the remainder of their lives. Approximately 25 percent of men alive today will also experience a serious fracture related to osteoporosis. It is clear that osteoporosis is becoming a greater and more expensive public health problem with each passing year. Medicare and other publicly funded health care programs are spending an estimated $28 billion per year to treat osteoporosis-related conditions. Osteoporosis is both preventable and treatable. There are a number of FDA-approved therapies that have been demonstrated to be effective in preventing the disease in those at risk, as well as treatments that can arrest or retard the progress of the disease in individuals who already have it. Good nutrition, including sufficient calcium, has also been shown to help protect against the illness. If programs can be put into place soon that will help detect and combat this illness, we can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life of seniors, and effectively reduce the spiraling cost of osteoporosis-related health problems.”