Osteoporosis self-management: Choices For Better Bone Health

Despite recent pharmacologic advances in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the disease remains incurable. Effective disease management ultimately lies in the hands of the individual patient, who must take responsibility for key health behaviors related to bone health. One behavior modification strategy that has proven effective, but which has not previously been applied to osteoporosis, is "self-management." This article describes the principals, evolution, and initial outcomes of a new self-management program, Choices For Better Bone Health. Choices is a group education course directed to postmenopausal women who are at risk or already affected by osteoporosis, and has shown positive results in early evaluations.