[Osteoporosis, a world problem in public health. Role of health professionals].

Osteoporosis is responsible of more than two millions of femoral fractures each year in the world. This pathology concerns essentially the post-menopausal women and is frequently undetected because it is painless in the beginning. The early detection is possible by osteodensitometry eventuelly associated with biochemical markers. The prevention consists in a rich calcium-D vitamin diet, the estrogen treatment being much discussed actually. Efficient treatments (SERMs, bisphosphonates, teriparatide...) allow the reduction of fractures risks. Health professionals (physicians, pharmacists, biologists...) must give valuable information to patients on this disease, they also must recommend an early detection and an effective treatment of osteoporosis requiring a good observance.