Market coverage note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
It is not uncommon to hear that a mother had a minor fall and was then diagnosed with a spinal fracture. Osteoporosis progresses over a long period of time without pain or noticeable symptoms, and it makes itself known when a bone breaks from even a light impact. This is why family members so often find out too late.
Let's start with the numbers. 🇰🇷 Korea According to the results of the 2024 국민건강영양조사 (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) released by the 질병관리청 (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), the prevalence of osteoporosis among adults aged 65 and older was 18.0%, and among women it was 31.6%, meaning more than 3 in 10 women have osteoporosis. 🇰🇷 Korea Data from the 대한골대사학회 (Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research) show that among women aged 70 and older, 2 in 3 have osteoporosis, and among men, 1 in 5, with the fatality rate within one year of a hip fracture reaching approximately 17%. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to the CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (based on 2017–2018 data), the prevalence of osteoporosis among adults aged 50 and older is 12.6%, rising to 17.7% among those aged 65 and older. The rate is much higher in women (19.6%) than in men (4.4%), and the federal Healthy People 2030 program states that approximately 1 in 10 adults aged 50 and older has osteoporosis.
Why is osteoporosis more common in women? Around menopause, estrogen levels drop sharply in women, causing bone density to decrease rapidly. Men also face a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis as they enter their 70s and 80s, so fathers should not be overlooked either. Low body weight, smoking, long-term steroid use, and family history are also risk factors. Changes that are easy to dismiss as normal aging — a rounding of the upper back, a decrease in height, or frequent lower back pain — may in fact be signs of osteoporosis.
A bone density scan (DXA) is the standard method for diagnosing osteoporosis. A T-score of -2.5 or below is classified as osteoporosis, while a score between -1.0 and -2.5 is classified as osteopenia. 🇰🇷 Korea The 국가건강검진 (National Health Screening Program) covers bone density scans fully at no cost for women at age 54 and again at age 66. Under 건강보험 (National Health Insurance) coverage criteria, women aged 65 and older, men aged 70 and older, or those with high-risk factors are eligible for a covered DXA scan, and the eligible population was further expanded beginning in 2025. 🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part B covers bone density scans every 24 months for qualifying beneficiaries, with a 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. Eligible individuals include postmenopausal women with estrogen deficiency, long-term steroid users, and those whose X-rays showed signs of bone loss.
Treatment is built around two main pillars: medication and lifestyle. 🇰🇷 Korea 건강보험 (National Health Insurance) covers osteoporosis medications such as bisphosphonates when a T-score of -2.5 or below is confirmed or when an osteoporotic fracture has been identified. 🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part B covers certain injectable osteoporosis medications, and Part D supports prescriptions for oral osteoporosis drugs. Covered drug formularies vary by plan, so it is essential to verify coverage in advance.
Equally as important as medication is managing bone health in daily life. Calcium and vitamin D are the key nutrients for maintaining bone, and older adults often find it difficult to get enough through diet alone, so it is a good idea to consult a primary care physician about whether to take supplements. Walking in sunlight and simple strength exercises such as sitting down and standing up from a chair also help maintain bone density and prevent falls. Checking the home environment — non-slip mats and bathroom grab bars, for example — is a practical way to reduce the risk of fractures.
As a family caregiver, the first thing you can do is find out when your parents last had a bone density scan. Many older adults feel intimidated by the idea of getting tested, so you might ask a family member to bring it up at the next medical appointment. If a prescription or supplement is needed after reviewing the results, consulting a doctor or pharmacist should come first.
Sources: 질병관리청 (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), results of the 「2024 국민건강영양조사 (2024 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)」 (released October 2025); 대한골대사학회 (Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research) Osteoporosis Fact Sheet; 국민건강보험공단 (National Health Insurance Service) osteoporosis coverage guidelines; U.S. CDC NCHS Data Brief (Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass in Older Adults: United States, 2017–2018); U.S. HHS Healthy People 2030 Osteoporosis objectives; Medicare.org and CMS bone density scan coverage guidelines (2024–2026).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.