A Record Twenty-Five States Take Action to Address Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention

May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) announced today that 25 states have taken steps through legislation and executive action to tackle the costly and growing problem of osteoporosis. This is a record number of states participating in the annual campaign. Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Las Vegas – Nevada, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have passed, introduced legislation, or made gubernatorial proclamations calling for action to raise awareness and declare May 2025 as Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The states responded to a nationwide effort launched by BHOF to share information about this debilitating disease and its extremely high associated costs. The 2021 Milliman Research Report: Medicare Cost of Osteoporotic Fractures: The Clinical and Cost Burden of Fractures Associated with Osteoporosis provides a detailed report for all 50 states on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures, their healthcare impact, and Medicare costs. The report was commissioned by BHOF. It finds that total national costs of osteoporotic fractures will rise from $57 billion to over $95 billion by 2030 as our population ages.

"We need to prioritize our bone health as a critical step in maintaining good health throughout our lives," said Claire Gill, CEO, BHOF. "Half of all women and one quarter of all men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. Osteoporosis can lead to debilitating fractures and even death. These fractures can be prevented, and we appreciate the state policy leaders who are making their citizens aware about this disease and how to prevent it."

There are simple steps that all people and their elected officials can take to strengthen bone health and reduce the burden of osteoporosis at the local and national level. This May, BHOF encouraged people to "Walk a Mile a Day in May" and had support from some well-known celebrities who created video messages to help raise awareness. These messages can be viewed on BHOF's social media platforms.

About the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation

The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF), formerly the National Osteoporosis Foundation, is the leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, promoting strong bones for life and reducing human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research. Established in 1984, BHOF is the nation's largest health organization dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health. For more information, visit www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org.

Media Contact:
Carina May
[email protected]
703-740-1764

SOURCE Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation