Osteoporosis was documented to be an important social problem. Diet, physical activity and treatment with estrogen, and to some extent other drugs, reduce the loss of bone mass. With no well-documented studies of the long-term effects of the various treatments of osteoporosis, the panel does not support a screening strategy. Danish calculations based on estrogen treatment offered to a high risk group show that a screening programme would lead to extra costs even though estrogen therapy would lead to fewer fractures and a reduction in hospital bed days. Treatment with estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer in women by 20-30 percent after approximately eight years of treatment. Other output or dissemination activity: Impact not evaluated.