Posters
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Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by decreased bone mass and decreased bone quality, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fractures. The number of fractures due to osteoporosis is projected to increase to over 3 million by the year 2025 and cost $25.3 billion annually. It ranks highly among diseases that cause patients to become bedridden with serious complications and reduced quality of life. Additionally, osteoporosis disproportionately affects Hispanics, which comprise most of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) population. We hypothesize individuals residing in the Rio Grande Valley have higher rates of Osteoporosis and lower rates of Osteoporosis Screening than the national average.
Methods: Medicare beneficiary data was obtained using the Mapping Medicare Disparities by Population interactive tool. Osteoporosis data were compared within the RGV (Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties) and compared with National Averages between the years 2016 - 2021
Results: Among Medicare beneficiaries residing in the RGV, there are higher rates of Osteoporosis compared to the national average (11.5 % vs. 7.20%). Screening for Osteoporosis within the RGV is above the national average (9.29% vs. 6.67%). Hispanics residing in the RGV have higher overall rates of Osteoporosis than Caucasians residing in the RGV (12.3% vs. 8.60%). Females residing in the RGV have nearly twice the rate of Osteoporosis compared to the national average (19.1% vs. 11.8%) and 6.58 times the rate of Males residing in the RGV (19.1% vs. 2.9%).
Conclusion: Individuals residing in the Rio Grande Valley are disproportionately affected by Osteoporosis. Despite increased screening rates seen among Medicare beneficiaries, we also suspect many individuals, uninsured or undocumented, have not received any appropriate Osteoporosis screening. Risk factors in the RGV associated with higher rates of Osteoporosis could include low education levels, SES, physical activity, and mineral intake. These results demonstrate a need to address Osteoporosis health literacy and earlier intervention to treat Osteoporosis in the Rio Grande Valley.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Bialaszewski, Ryan; Dentino, Philippe J.; and Ronnau, John, "Bone Health Matters: A Closer Look at Osteoporosis Within the Rio Grande Valley" (2024). Research Colloquium. 32.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2023/posters/32
Included in
Bone Health Matters: A Closer Look at Osteoporosis Within the Rio Grande Valley
Background: Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by decreased bone mass and decreased bone quality, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fractures. The number of fractures due to osteoporosis is projected to increase to over 3 million by the year 2025 and cost $25.3 billion annually. It ranks highly among diseases that cause patients to become bedridden with serious complications and reduced quality of life. Additionally, osteoporosis disproportionately affects Hispanics, which comprise most of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) population. We hypothesize individuals residing in the Rio Grande Valley have higher rates of Osteoporosis and lower rates of Osteoporosis Screening than the national average.
Methods: Medicare beneficiary data was obtained using the Mapping Medicare Disparities by Population interactive tool. Osteoporosis data were compared within the RGV (Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties) and compared with National Averages between the years 2016 - 2021
Results: Among Medicare beneficiaries residing in the RGV, there are higher rates of Osteoporosis compared to the national average (11.5 % vs. 7.20%). Screening for Osteoporosis within the RGV is above the national average (9.29% vs. 6.67%). Hispanics residing in the RGV have higher overall rates of Osteoporosis than Caucasians residing in the RGV (12.3% vs. 8.60%). Females residing in the RGV have nearly twice the rate of Osteoporosis compared to the national average (19.1% vs. 11.8%) and 6.58 times the rate of Males residing in the RGV (19.1% vs. 2.9%).
Conclusion: Individuals residing in the Rio Grande Valley are disproportionately affected by Osteoporosis. Despite increased screening rates seen among Medicare beneficiaries, we also suspect many individuals, uninsured or undocumented, have not received any appropriate Osteoporosis screening. Risk factors in the RGV associated with higher rates of Osteoporosis could include low education levels, SES, physical activity, and mineral intake. These results demonstrate a need to address Osteoporosis health literacy and earlier intervention to treat Osteoporosis in the Rio Grande Valley.