Gathering will discuss
osteoporosis research
A free public meeting on osteoporosis will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel.
Kapiolani Women's Center and Straub Clinic & Hospital are hosting the meeting, entitled "Bone Health: An Update on Osteoporosis."
Dr. Steven Cummings, international authority on osteoporosis who has led studies in that area for 25 years, will be one of the speakers.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile, especially in post-menopausal women. The disease is a threat to about 44 million Americans, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. About 80 percent of those with the disease are women, according to the foundation.
About 20 percent of Asian and Caucasian women age 50 and older have osteoporosis and 52 percent have low bone mass, said the foundation.
If it isn't prevented or treated, osteoporosis can progress until it results in hip, spine and wrist fractures.
Dr. Frank Singer, Straub endocrinologist and medical director of Kapiolani's Bone Health program, said an adequate intake of calcium and exercise can reduce the risk for osteoporosis.
"But even people who maintain their calcium intake and stay physically fit can have low bone density, especially women after menopause who lose bone more rapidly," he said.
He said education is needed to help people identify their risk, level, prevent osteoporosis and learn treatment options.
Physicians in the field will present information at the meeting and discuss the relationship between ethnicity and bone fracture risk.