One in three women over 50 in the U.S. faces a high risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, while in India, one in six older adults may live with undiagnosed spinal fractures, highlighting critical gaps in global bone health awareness and care.
On World Osteoporosis Day 2026, research and clinical insights from Florida International University (FIU) and Indian neurosurgeon Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla underscore the silent but widespread threat of osteoporosis, particularly its impact on spinal fractures and the urgent need for better screening and public education.
The Hidden Crisis of Spinal Fractures
Dr. Mohana Rao Patibandla, a neurosurgeon at Dr. Rao’s Hospital in Guntur, India, emphasized that spinal fractures often go undetected, with the spine giving way before the hip.
A Delhi study found fracture prevalence of 18.8% in men and 17.1% in women. Yet, two-thirds of spinal fractures worldwide are estimated to go undiagnosed. A hip fracture announces itself; a spinal fracture often does not,
Patibandla noted, urging families to treat persistent back pain as a red flag rather than a minor issue.
In the U.S., FIU’s Dr. Amalia Landa-Galindez highlighted that 43% of women over 50 reported fractures from minor falls, with 77% of women and 46% of men over 80 likely to have osteoporosis. After 80, bone fragility becomes a huge issue for almost everyone,
she said. Spinal fractures, often asymptomatic, can lead to severe complications, including chronic pain and mobility loss, if left untreated. Landa-Galindez also noted that men are diagnosed with osteoporosis in large numbers later in life, with fragility fractures resulting from low-energy trauma like falls from standing height.
Screening and Treatment Gaps
DEXA scans and FRAX calculators are critical for early intervention. The FRAX calculator estimates a 10-year fracture probability for individuals aged 40 and above. However, in India, testing facilities are scarce compared to the population size. The Indian diet is healthy but low in calcium and protein both of which are needed for bone health,
the report noted.
Prevention and Public Awareness
Preventive measures include calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercise, and fall prevention strategies. FIU’s guidelines advise vitamin D supplementation, while sources highlight the need for public campaigns to address dietary deficiencies and sedentary lifestyles. Bones deserve attention long before they break,
the article concluded, stressing early intervention as critical to reducing fracture risks.
Adolescents and young adults are encouraged to adopt healthy habits, as bone strength is built early and protected for life. After age 80, bone fragility becomes a huge issue for almost everyone,
Landa-Galindez reiterated, emphasizing that while osteoporosis is common, serious fractures are not an unavoidable part of aging.
Public health initiatives in India face challenges, including limited data on bone health and rural healthcare access. A 2013 IOF India audit found that 8–62% of women in India are diagnosed with osteoporosis, with prevalence varying by region. India needs to strengthen its data base on bone-related health issues,
the report stated, calling for better training for rural health workers to identify at-risk individuals.
Despite advancements in treatment, challenges persist. In India, only 8–62% of women are diagnosed with osteoporosis, according to a 2013 IOF India audit, while the U.S. faces similar gaps in adherence to screening protocols. As Dr. Landa-Galindez noted, Osteoporosis cannot be completely cured, but it can be managed and partially reversed with the right strategies.
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