Surgeon General takes aim at osteoporosis.(News)

WASHINGTON -- More than enough is known about how to promote bone health and prevent fractures, yet too few health care providers make use of this information, according to the first-ever U.S. Surgeon General's report aimed at raising the nation's level of awareness about the consequences and costs of osteoporosis and fractures.

"Bone health is an often over-looked aspect of health," Surgeon General Richard Carmona said at a press conference held to unveil the 400-page report. "Bone Health and Osteoporosis," which was developed to target all stake holders including individual consumers, health care providers, and insurers.

Dr. Carmona challenged physicians and other health care providers to evaluate patients of all ages, not just the elderly, for risk factors that could lead to poor bone health.

"I'm calling on health care professionals to look for red flags," he said.

During routine exams, primary care providers should assess every patient for calcium and vitamin D intake, level of physical activity, and adverse behaviors such as smoking. All health care providers should also be on the lookout for risk factors, such as hyperparathyroidism, that might signal the predisposition for osteoporosis, as well as risk factors for other bone diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia, and Paget's disease.

The report recommends that physicians perform or refer for bone density testing any patient with a strong potential for osteoporosis based on an analysis of risk factors.

Physicians should encourage bone density testing for postmenopausal women over age 65; young women with multiple risk factors; men and women with fragility fractures; as well as patients of both sexes who have diseases that require they take bone-depleting medications, such as glucocorticoids. (See the sidebar for a list of additional risk factors.)