CORVALLIS - Researchers at Oregon State University are seeking a number of elderly volunteers for a study on the risk factors contributing to hip fractures in adults aged 75 and older.

The volunteers will be asked to complete a questionnaire, have a bone density scan, and keep a diary detailing any falls during the next four years.

Study participants should be at least 75 years old and under 240 pounds. For more information, call the Bone Research Laboratory at OSU, 541-737-5935.

The OSU researchers say hip fractures continue to plague elderly Americans and contribute approximately $14 billion annually in health care costs. The OSU study is seeking to identify the factors that contribute most significantly to fractures related to falling.

Principal investigator in the study is Wilson "Toby" Hayes, vice provost for research at OSU and a nationally recognized expert in bone research. The project is being conducted in cooperation with the Bone Research Laboratory in OSU's College of Health and Human Performance.

Source: 

Kathy Gunter, 541-737-5935

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