According to the Health Belief Model, people will make changes only when they perceive that osteoporosis is serious, and less likely to practice healthy behaviors if they believe that the disease is not severe (Coreil, 2010). Osteoporosis could results in hip fractures, crippling fractures, low self-esteem, and physical pain in routine activities. Emotional sufferings and the stress of falling and being dependent on others is also a negative result of osteoporosis. It affects 25 million people in the United States, 80% of whom are women (McBean, Forgac &Finn, 1994). It is also includes 1.5 million fractures annually, including hip fractures, which is a life-threatening outcome (Krall & Dawson-Hughes, 1999).
Another common barrier is the low perception of susceptibility, believing it only happens to old women. These people will not take positive preventive action. Unfortunately, the disease is a silent one and without symptoms until it has progressed. How do you prevent osteoporosis? Educational classes, bone mineral density testing and individual consultations help people to become more aware or increase the perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, self-efficacy and cues to action, while decreasing perceived barriers to actions that