Assessing hip fracture risk in a population-based health survey: the NHANES III osteoporosis component.

A unique study of osteoporotic hip fracture risk, currently being conducted as part of a national health survey of the United States population, is described. The osteoporosis component of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) will provide data on multiple risk factors for hip fracture, including bone density of the proximal femur, from a nationally representative sample of adults that includes the very old. The minimum age for inclusion in the component is 20 years, so risk factors can be examined across the adult age range. The component includes men as well as women, and blacks and Mexican Americans as well as non-Hispanic whites. Finally, a longitudinal follow-up of the cohort will allow risk factor data to be related to subsequent hip fracture occurrence.