The proportion of women aged 65 years and older on Medicare who said
that they had been screened for osteoporosis increased from 34% in 2001 to 64%
in 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality.
According to the survey by the federal agency, white women experienced
the greatest increase in bone density or bone mass screenings during the period
(36%to 67%). The agency’s analysis found that:
- Hispanic women reported the most dramatic increase in screening,
from 22% to 55%; - The percentage of black women who reported undergoing osteoporosis
screening also rose significantly, from 16% to 38%; and - While all women reported increases in osteoporosis screening, income
was a factor. By 2006, only 46% of poor women reported having had a screening
test, compared with 80% of high-income women.
