Men's Bone Health Is Largely Ignored

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.

Write to Mandy Oaklander at mandy.oaklander@time.com.