Nananda Col published in BMC Women’s Health

Nananda Col, M.D., MPP, MPH, a professor of medicine in the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, is a senior author of an article in BMC Women’s Health.  The article, titled “Factors associated with treatment of women with osteoporosis or osteopenia from a national survey,” explores why so many women are either over- treated or under-treated for osteoporosis.  

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem that affects most older women and often results in hip, arm, and spine fractures, including the 'Dowager's hump' and shrinking in height that is falsely understood as an inevitable consequence of old age.  These fractures can have a catastrophic effect, often leading to permanent disability, loss of independence, and even death.  

Dr. Col states that there are several effective treatments to prevent broken bones from osteoporosis, but the treatments are not making an impact because of the Goldilocks Effect.  This term is coined based on the principles that the drugs are used too often by people who receive minimal benefit from them, and too little by those who could greatly benefit from their use. This study explores factors associated with the use of these drugs in the real world, comparing actual use to how they should ideally be used.

The article can be viewed on the BMC Women’s Health website.
 

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The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.