List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jul-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
“Fractured” takes a hard look at how osteoporosis is treated today–and finds that while younger women are vastly over-screened, overdiagnosed, and overtreated, older women are dangerously neglected. As far as we know, this is the first time a consumer publication has written about this troubling age divide. In addition, the article delivers smart, “beyond-the-usual” advice for readers, including guides to testing, exercise, diet, and safer use of medications, complemented by additional information on the Good Housekeeping website.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Medical, dental, and business literature, SEC filings, and notes from FDA hearings, as well as WHO reports, the National Osteoporosis Foundation website, and reports from American Society for Bone Mineral Research and the American Orthopedic Association.
Explain types of human sources used.
Reached out to osteoporosis support groups, a support group for women who’d suffered thigh bone fractures (as a result of osteoporosis medication). We interview leading experts in the fields of osteoporosis, health policy, health screening, dentistry, and orthopedics, nutrition, and exercise, including those who’ve conducted seminal research in their areas.
Results:
Good Housekeeping received an unusually large reader response to this article. Many shared their own experiences and reported that they’d brought a copy of the article to their doctor. For one woman, the article led to an accurate diagnosis of her leg pain–and led to surgery that may well have spared her the kind of thigh fracture linked to osteoporosis drug treatment and described in “Fractured.”
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
None
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Allow sufficient time for development. This article required interviews with many patients. Finding a diverse group took several months; in some cases, we then followed the women’s experiences for several more months.