骨質疏鬆症是因骨量減少，骨結構損壞，造成骨強度減弱，以致容易骨折。根據台灣地區流行病 調查，一生中大約1/3的婦女及1/5的男性會發生一次脊椎、髖部或腕部之骨折。骨質疏鬆症預防與治療 之目的是減少骨折。因此健康機構應篩檢骨質疏鬆症，有系統地辨識高風險或已發生骨折之案例，可防 治骨質疏鬆，減少未來骨折發生。

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, structural deterioration of bone tissue, and compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. In Taiwan it is estimated that approximately one-third of women and one-fifth of men in their lifetime would have at least one osteoporosis associated fractures. The goal of osteoporosis prevention and treatment is to reduce fracture rates. Therefore healthcare systems must target those patients who have high risk or already suffered a fracture, as they are the ones at highest risk for future fractures.