In the United States, over 28 million people are at high risk of developing osteoporosis. Up to 1.5 million fractures a year are attributable to osteoporosis. Health care expenditures related to osteoporosis are over $14 billion per year.

Women are at the greatest risk. One third of Caucasian women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, yet nearly 80% remain undiagnosed. After menopause, a woman's risk of suffering an osteoporotic spine or femur fracture is 30% or three times that of a man's.

Osteoporosis is a complex, multi-factorial disease that may progress silently for decades - there may be no symptoms until fractures occur. Bone loss is the major risk factor that can be modified in mid-life to reduce fracture risk. Bone loss can be reduced by treatment, but it is difficult to restore the microarchitecture of the skeleton once bone has been lost. Early detection and intervention are crucial.