Epidemiology and socio-economic aspects of osteoporosis in Finland.

The public health problem of osteoporosis is assessed epidemiologically and economically. Osteoporosis is mainly a problem of old people. Ageing of the population will increase the number of osteoporotic fracture patients and the need of hospital and other services. It is possible to prevent osteoporosis and the goal of health planning activities should thus be directed more to the prevention of osteoporosis.