Care New England’s bone health program addresses ‘silent’ disease
Care New England Health System
Providence, R.I.
As people age, bone mass starts to decline — for some, beginning as early as their 30s — and can be exacerbated by medical conditions, medications or lifestyle choices. Weak bones can lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis, which is called a “silent” disease because a person typically does not have symptoms and may not know they have the disease until a bone breaks.
Care New England, based in Providence, R.I., offers a comprehensive Bone Health Program with many services for women, who are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Services the health system provides include bone health screening and assessments, bone density scanning, vitamin D testing, nutrition consultations, physical therapy, counseling, and injection and infusion therapy.
The Bone Health Team works closely with the health system’s Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to share test results and resources and collaborate on recommendations for treatment options.
The Care New England website outlines risk factors for developing osteoporosis and recommendations for keeping bones strong.