Health Minister Announces Mobile Bone Densitometry Units

Health Minister Jim Smith today announced the province will buy two mobile bone densitometry units to help in the early identification of osteoporosis and other risk factors for fractures.

"We recognize the importance of this technology, particularly for the maintenance of women's health," said Dr. Smith. "We know that early intervention is key in the treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. These units will ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to diagnostic services."

Dr. Smith said early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of bone disease could mean that many Nova Scotians will be spared the painful and debilitating affects associated with broken limbs. By reducing the number of broken bones, the number of Nova Scotians requiring hospital or nursing-home care will be reduced.

The announcement comes in response to work by an expert panel on osteoporosis. The group was created to recommend screening guidelines for bone densitometry and to look at the services available to Nova Scotians at risk for bone disease.

The cost of the two units is expected to be about $630,000. The equipment is expected to be on the road in the next six to nine months.

A bone densitometry unit is already in operation at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. Another fixed unit will officially open Monday at the Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease affecting an estimated 30 per cent of women and one in eight men over the age of 50.