24 Jun USPSTF: Osteoporosis Screening Guidelines for Fracture Prevention
Dr. Davis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Esa M. Davis, M.D., M.P.H.
Vice chair, USPSTF
Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Senior Associate Dean of Population and Community Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and break or fracture more easily. It is more common as people age and can lead to serious disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, and even death.
The Task Force looked at the evidence and found that all women who are 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis. Menopause causes hormone changes that affect a person’s bone density and causes their bones to break down faster than they can rebuild, thereby increasing a person’s risk of osteoporosis. As a result, women younger than 65 who have already gone through menopause and have at least one additional risk factor for osteoporosis should receive a formal risk assessment to determine whether they should then be screened.
It’s important to note that men can also get osteoporosis and have similar risk factors as women, but unfortunately there is not enough evidence to determine whether or not screening and then treating men can help prevent fractures.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Clinicians look at a person’s age, sex, and menopause status to determine who should be screened for osteoporosis. While not all broken bones are caused by osteoporosis, screening for and treating osteoporosis is an effective way to prevent some fractures. It’s critical that women who are found to have osteoporosis get further evaluation, counseling, and treatment as appropriate so they can get the care they need.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: While screening tests can identify men who have osteoporosis, we don’t have enough evidence to determine whether medications to treat osteoporosis are beneficial in men, so we need more studies that look at how well these treatments work. In the meantime, clinicians should discuss any concerns their male patients have about their bone health and determine together whether or not screening is appropriate.
In addition, ongoing and future research on risk assessment, screening, and treatment for osteoporosis to prevent fractures needs to include women and men of all races and ethnicities
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: It’s important to emphasize that this recommendation applies to adults who do not have a history of prior fractures or health conditions that could lead to weakened bones, such as metabolic bone disease. The takeaway is that screening for osteoporosis is an important way to help prevent fractures and keep women healthy as they age.
Citation:
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2025;333(6):498–508. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.27154
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2829238 - Kahwati LC, Kistler CE, Booth G, et al. Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: A Systematic Evidence Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2025;333(6):509–531. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.21653
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2829239
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Last Updated on June 24, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
