The effectiveness of a community-based screening intervention at reducing fractures in older women has been assessed in a randomised controlled trial.1 In the UK, around 536,000 people have fragility fractures each year, including 79,000 hip fractures, which cost an estimated £3.5 billion in 2010.

The trial included 12,483 women aged 70 to 85 years, randomised to a screening programme using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) or to usual management. The women were recruited from 100 GP practices in …