Hip fracture is the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, a disease affecting approximately 30% of women and 10% of men aged 50 years and older. But is treating high risk individuals enough to prevent hip fractures across the community?
A new approach to hip fracture prevention
Join Distinguished Professor Tuan V. Nguyen AM, UARC's Theme Lead for Emerging Technology, in the first instalment of this year’s UTS Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC) Research Seminar Series on Wednesday 22 July.
A Distinguished Professor in the School of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Tuan is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM 2022), recognised for his significant contributions to medical research, osteoporosis prevention, and higher education. Earlier this year, he was awarded the UTS Medal for Research Impact in the 2025 Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Research Excellence.
“Among women, the risk of hip fracture is comparable to the risk of invasive breast cancer. But the risk of death following a hip fracture is higher than that following breast cancer,” Tuan explained.
Current clinical practice appropriately recommends treatment for individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis, and this approach is well supported by evidence.
However, Tuan’s work has shown that most hip fractures occur in people who do not meet the diagnostic threshold for osteoporosis.
As a result, treating only individuals with osteoporosis, while important, cannot prevent a large proportion of hip fractures at the population level.
“Treating osteoporosis in high-risk individuals remains essential, but it is not enough,” Tuan warned.
Tuan’s presentation will address the Rose Prevention Paradox, the idea that a large group of people at modest risk can contribute more cases than a smaller group of people at high risk. He’ll use this concept to argue for a broader prevention strategy.
Treating osteoporosis in high-risk individuals remains essential, but it is not enough.
“Rather than focusing solely on high-risk individuals, we need community-wide approaches that shift fracture risk across the whole population and reduce the overall burden of hip fractures,” Tuan said.
“This seminar will challenge the way we think about osteoporosis prevention. By revisiting the Rose Prevention Paradox, I’ll explore why focusing only on high-risk individuals may miss a major opportunity to prevent hip fractures across the community.”
Register to attend
Come along to learn more. Fruit, tea and coffee will be provided.
When: 1pm – 2pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026
Where: RES Hub Event Space (CB02.05.250)
What’s next?
- Discover Tuan’s research.
- Learn more about UARC.
- Connect with UARC via email to be informed about the next UARC Research Seminar.