Falls and Older Adults
Frequently Asked Questions
7. What is osteoporosis and who gets it?
Osteoporosis is a disease that involves loss of bone mass. Over time, this disease thins and weakens bones to the point where they break easily, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist. Low bone mass increases the chance of hip fractures and other fractures if you fall. If bones are fragile, even a minor fall can cause fractures.
More than two-thirds of people with osteoporosis are women, but men can also have it. Small, thin-boned women and women who are Caucasian or Asian are at greatest risk.
