Foundation Team
Medical Editor:
Katherine E. Hartmann, MD, PhD
Clinical Advisors
Karen J. Carlson, MD
Margaret C. Gourlay, MD, MPH
Clinical Lead:
Ann MacDonald
Strong bones are important for getting us through an unpredictable day. But for some people, a bone may break even after a minor fall or mild impact. This type of break is called a fragility fracture and it can be a sign of osteoporosis. To help individuals who have had a fragility fracture reduce their chances of having another fracture in the future, the Foundation has developed a Shared Decision-Making® program called Osteoporosis: Preventing Another Fracture.
This program is for individuals who’ve had a fragility fracture, especially of a bone in the arm, hip, leg or spine. It explains what individuals can do to reduce the chances that it will happen again. The program describes the most effective steps people can take, including increasing their level of physical activity, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, and taking medications used to treat osteoporosis. This program also describes strategies to prevent falls and emphasizes the importance of managing other medical and lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of breaking a bone.
This program was developed with our production partner, Health Dialog. It is available as a booklet and a web-based program (Health Crossroads®) for Health Dialog members.
