Bone Talk

Osteoporosis isn't just a women's health issue. Men are also at risk for
bone loss and broken bones, often without realizing it until a fracture
occurs. In this episode of Bone Talk, BHOF Vice President of Science and
Education Ami Patel talks with Annette Gantz, a board-certified family
nurse practitioner specializing in osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease,
about the importance of recognizing risk factors, getting appropriate
screening and taking steps to protect bone health. From nutrition and
exercise to treatment options and ongoing management, Annette shares
practical information to help men reduce their risk of fractures, maintain
mobility and preserve their independence as they age.

For people living with osteoporosis, making decisions about treatment can
sometimes feel overwhelming. There are different types of medications,
different ways they are given, and new treatment options continue to become
available. One term patients may increasingly hear from their doctors,
pharmacists, or health plans is "biosimilar." But what exactly is a
biosimilar? Is it the same medication? Does it work the same way? Is it as
safe? And what should a patient know if their doctor or insurance company
recommends switching from a biologic medication they are already taking to
a biosimilar? This episode approaches those questions from the patient
perspective. Sally Fullman helps guide the conversation by asking the kinds
of questions patients may have when they encounter biosimilars as part of
their osteoporosis care. Answering those questions is Dr. Naga Yalla, an
endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington
University School of Medicine.

Osteoporosis is still widely thought of as a woman's disease, and that
assumption carries a real cost. Men are screened less often, diagnosed
later, and treated less frequently, even though a man who breaks a hip is
more likely to die in the year that follows than a woman who breaks a hip.
On this episode of Bone Talk, Ami Patel, Vice President of Science and
Education at the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, explores why
osteoporosis in men remains so quiet, who is at risk, and what can be done
long before a bone breaks. Joining her is Jacqueline Kernaghan, a physician
assistant who specializes in osteoporosis with Main Line HealthCare
Osteoporosis in Concordville, Pennsylvania. Jacqui has spent nearly two
decades caring for patients with bone disease and sees firsthand how often
osteoporosis in men goes unrecognized until a fracture forces the
conversation.

Osteoporosis is often thought of as a disease that only affects women, but
this episode of Bone Talk challenges that misconception. BHOF Vice
President of Science & Education Ami Patel is joined by Joshua Wing, a
board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in orthopedic surgery and
bone health, and Michael Lavacot, a Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation
patient advocate whose osteoporosis was discovered before he experienced a
fracture. Michael shares his personal journey from denial to becoming a
passionate advocate for patient education, while Josh explains why early
diagnosis and timely treatment are critical for preventing fractures and
protecting long-term bone health. Together, they highlight the importance
of recognizing risk factors, asking questions, and taking action before a
broken bone changes your life.

On this episode of Bone Talk, BHOF CEO Claire Gill is joined by Dr. Mary
Bouxsein, Professor at Harvard Medical School and a leading researcher in
bone health and biomechanics, to discuss groundbreaking advances that could
transform osteoporosis care. Their conversation explores how the SABRE
initiative is reshaping osteoporosis drug development, the growing role of
artificial intelligence in fracture prediction and screening, and why
greater awareness and participation in research are essential to improving
bone health outcomes for millions of people.