National Osteoporosis Awareness Month – May 2025
- Posted by Greg Wahlstrom, MBA, HCM
- Posted in Health Observance Calendar
Hospital Leadership and Bone Health in Aging Populations
Published: May 1, 2025
Each May, National Osteoporosis Awareness Month draws attention to a condition that quietly impacts millions of Americans, especially women over the age of 65. As bones gradually lose density, fragility fractures become more common and more dangerous. Osteoporosis leads to more than 2 million fractures annually, often resulting in hospitalization or long-term care. For healthcare leaders, this month presents an opportunity to elevate bone health as a strategic imperative. Hospital systems are uniquely positioned to implement screening protocols and fracture prevention strategies at scale. Leaders can integrate bone density checks into annual wellness visits and align them with population health metrics. Executive teams must also evaluate reimbursement opportunities tied to preventative musculoskeletal care. The lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture is estimated at 50% for women and 25% for men, underscoring its clinical relevance. This is not only a women’s health issue—it’s a system-wide quality and cost issue. For this reason, hospital leaders should take May as a moment to realign strategic priorities toward bone health.
Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease,” because it typically progresses without symptoms until a fracture occurs. This silence makes proactive screening and education important in healthcare settings. Health systems like Hospital for Special Surgery are building proactive programs that incorporate fracture liaison services and orthopedic integration. These models reduce avoidable admissions and prevent costly complications. Beyond inpatient settings, outpatient education and community outreach programs are paramount. Patient-centered campaigns on calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and fall prevention have been shown to reduce incidence rates. DXA scan access and insurance navigation are also essential to reaching vulnerable populations. Importantly, interdisciplinary teams that include physical therapists, geriatricians, and case managers yield stronger patient outcomes. Strategic leaders can advocate for funding, staffing, and workflow updates that make osteoporosis care more visible. Ultimately, hospital CEOs must drive the narrative that bone health is both preventable and recoverable. Therefore, a proactive approach should define how we lead.
Cost is another pressing issue driving the need for executive engagement in osteoporosis care. Fragility fractures cost the U.S. healthcare system over $19 billion each year—a number projected to rise sharply as the population ages. These costs come not just from surgeries, but also from skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and increased readmission rates. Systems that embed osteoporosis prevention into their value-based care strategies often see reduced long-term utilization. For example, University Hospitals in Cleveland connects bone health with lifestyle interventions that lower total cost of care. Forward-thinking CFOs and COOs are reevaluating how musculoskeletal services align with Medicare Advantage ratings and quality bonuses. Investing in fall prevention, mobility assessments, and post-fracture continuity has shown to improve star ratings and patient satisfaction scores. These initiatives are no longer optional—they’re critical components of a sustainable hospital model. As the financial landscape shifts, so too must leadership strategies around aging-related conditions. For that reason, osteoporosis belongs at the boardroom table.
Osteoporosis also highlights critical gaps in health equity, particularly across racial and socioeconomic lines. Studies show that Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations are often underdiagnosed or receive delayed care. Lack of access to DXA scans and preventive screenings means many patients go undiagnosed until a fracture occurs. Health systems that embed bone health into community needs assessments can better address these disparities. Kaiser Permanente’s Healthy Aging initiative is one model that uses culturally tailored outreach and EMR prompts to close equity gaps. These tools allow clinicians to act before patients reach a crisis point. In rural areas, telemedicine can extend osteoporosis consults and education to seniors who cannot travel. For hospital leaders, tackling disparities in osteoporosis care supports both mission and margin. Health equity isn’t just a public relations goal—it’s a performance issue tied to readmission penalties and community trust. Executive leadership must reflect this truth in budgets, partnerships, and clinical priorities. That’s why May is a important time to launch new equity-focused strategies.
As U.S. hospitals face the pressures of aging populations, osteoporosis emerges as a clear test of leadership. Hospital administrators and board members must look beyond episodic treatment and toward lifetime musculoskeletal health. From emergency departments to ambulatory clinics, every touchpoint can reinforce prevention, education, and early intervention. Strategic investments in technology, training, and interdisciplinary care teams yield measurable return in both patient outcomes and operational metrics. This is particularly urgent as demand for joint replacements, spine surgery, and rehabilitation continues to climb. Leaders who prioritize bone health now will be better equipped for the workforce and cost realities of 2030 and beyond. May’s observance should spark both internal dialogue and external accountability in our systems. By addressing osteoporosis holistically, we reinforce our commitment to aging with dignity and independence. In that light, hospital executives must lead with clarity, vision, and long-range responsibility. That’s what National Osteoporosis Awareness Month challenges us to do.
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- Population Health Management: Building a Culture of Wellness and Prevention
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