A third of all hip fractures happen in men, and in the year after a fracture, men are twice as likely to die as women. That’s due, in part, to the fact that men don’t get treated as often as women do for osteoporosis, a new report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation says.
In fact, men’s bone health is largely ignored, and one study showed that men are half as likely as women to get treatment. About 20% of men over 50 have osteoporosis fractures, a number set to rise with the aging population, the report says. From 2010-2030, the number of hip fractures in American men is set to rise 52%, while the number among women is expected to drop by nearly 4% (likely because women are routinely screened for bone loss and are treated preventively).
The lifetime risk of a bone fracture for men is now higher than the risk for getting prostate cancer, and those who smoke, drink heavily, or have vitamin D, testosterone or calcium deficiencies are especially at risk. “People should not have to live with the pain and suffering caused by osteoporosis as we can help prevent and control the disease,” says Professor John A. Kanis, president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, in a statement.
One of the best lifestyles switches men can make for their bones is to exercise more. Men lose muscle as they age, which makes bones much more vulnerable. Weight-bearing exercise protects against bone loss and falls, and these 6 best anti-aging exercises for men are proven to make aging men stronger.
See the 10 Healthiest Cities to Live in America
Honolulu, Hawaii Best Place for Lifelong Health The heavenly climate helps, but the key to well-being here also includes enviable health care and a rich cultural tradition of looking out for one another.Colin Anderson—Blend Images/CorbisSan Francisco Bay Area, Calif. Best Place for Eating Right. The "farm to table" movement began here. The region's bounty of produce and year-round growing season make eating healthy—and local—a natural.Getty ImagesBurlington, Vt.Best Place for Raising Healthy Kids
This New England city offers great schools, excellent pediatric care, loads of culture and limitless options for healthy outdoor fun all year long.Matt Hogan/www.mphoganphoto.comSilicon Valley, Calif.Best Place for Workplace Wellness
With treadmill desks, meetings on bikes, time off for creativity, and gobs of organic food, tech titans are reinventing how to stay healthy on the job.Jim Wilson—The New York Times/ReduxMinneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.Best Place for Aging Well
Yes, it can be cold. But with a plethora of stimulating activities and a robust web of support, the Twin Cities prove that growing old doesn't mean slowing down.Getty ImagesDenver and Boulder, Colo.Best Place for Keeping Fit
The urge to get outside and get moving is contagious in these Rocky Mountain cities, where physical challenge is built into the landscape.Celin Serbo—Aurora Photos/CorbisPlano, TexasBest Place for Staying Safe
Once a rural outpost, this booming, diverse city has kept its small-town vibe, thanks in part to a police force and community that knows how to work together.Misty Keasler—Redux for TIMEPortland, Ore.
Best Place for a Healthy Environment
Small, walkable neighborhoods, 300 miles of bike paths, and urban policies that foster active living and sustainability make for one clean, green city.Getty ImagesBoston, Mass.Best Place for Health Care
This history-rich city is home to some of the nation's most advanced medical institutions and policies that help ensure that quality care is available to all.K.C. Cohen—Courtesy of Boston Children's HospitalProvo and Orem, UtahBest Place for Spiritual Well-Being
A stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop and a tight-knit population that lives its faith contribute not only to this region's serenity but also to lower rates of disease.Getty Images
