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Osteoporosis is a major public health problem but is underdiagnosed and undertreated. A new randomized controlled trial indicates that population screening for osteoporosis by BMD assessment resulted in improved treatment and reduced risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.
According to a large epidemiologic study, a majority of American children are vitamin D insufficient or deficient. In addition to negative effects on bone metabolism, low vitamin D levels in the pediatric population are associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors, including an increase in systolic blood pressure and a reduction in HDL cholesterol levels.
