About one in two women will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. This means that half of all women are at risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis—and for millions of women, that first fracture marks the beginning of a life-altering journey. Yet despite its enormous impact, osteoporosis remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions in women’s health.
In recognition of Osteoporosis Awareness Month, the Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention convened a salon dinner in Washington, D.C., sponsored by Amgen, bringing together leading voices in women’s and bone health. The evening featured a compelling keynote address by Dr. Louisa Ziglar, a renowned authority on bone health, who explored the pressing challenges facing osteoporosis care today. Dr. Ziglar emphasized the urgent need for action to safeguard the independence, mobility, and overall quality of life for women nationwide.
Dr. Ziglar is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 15 years of experience specializing in women’s bone health. She serves as a clinical advisor to numerous public health initiatives focused on improving access to osteoporosis screening and care.
Check out some of the highlights from our conversation with Dr. Ziglar below.
Understanding the Scope of the Problem
Osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease.” It weakens bones gradually, typically without symptoms, until a fracture occurs. Concerningly, of the women who experience a hip fracture, 30% to 60% will never regain their pre-fracture level of independence. Despite these serious outcomes, awareness remains low, especially among women of color, who are less likely to be screened and more likely to face barriers to treatment and follow-up care.
Access and Diagnosis Challenges
Dr. Ziglar emphasized the role of screening in prevention: “The gold standard for detecting low bone density is the DXA scan,” which is a simple, quick, and painless procedure that measures bone density to test for osteoporosis. “But many clinics—particularly in rural or underfunded areas—can’t afford the equipment due to declining Medicare reimbursement rates. This means women who need care the most often go without it,” Ziglar added. Without early diagnosis, many women don’t receive the counseling or treatment that could help them live full and independent lives, free from the constant fear of fractures.
A Path Forward
A renewed effort is needed to promote policy changes that improve DXA scan reimbursement rates, expand education campaigns targeted at high-risk populations, and strengthen access to follow-up care and support services.
By advancing both policy and practice, we can reshape osteoporosis care to ensure all women—regardless of race, geography, or income—have access to life-saving resources.
Let’s spread the word by sharing this tweet: Women ages 65+ should get screened for #osteoporosis—or even earlier if you have risk factors like family history or fractures. Don’t wait for a break to take action. Talk to your doctor today. #OsteoporosisAwareness