This study investigated the relationship between bone mass and fracture risk in 521 Caucasian women over 6.5 years. Bone mass was measured at the radius, and 138 nonspinal fractures were recorded. The results showed that fracture incidence increased with age and decreased bone mass. Age was a stronger predictor of hip fractures, while midshaft radius bone mass was a stronger predictor of distal forearm fractures. Bone mass was found to be a useful predictor of fractures, but other age-related factors also contribute to fracture risk. The study used a prospective design with repeated bone mass measurements and detailed fracture tracking. Bone mass was measured using Norland single photon absorptiometers, and fractures were documented through medical records and x-rays. Fractures from automobile accidents and spinal fractures were excluded. The data were analyzed using a log-linear model, which showed that the rate of fracture was influenced by age and bone mass. The model accounted for between-subject variability and used a quasi-likelihood approach for parameter estimation. The results indicated that bone mass and age independently contribute to fracture risk. For hip fractures, age was a stronger predictor than radius bone mass, but the relative risk was similar to that for all fractures. For distal forearm fractures, bone mass was a stronger predictor than age. The study also found that bone mass was a weaker predictor for fractures at the skull, hands, and feet, which do not increase with age. The study concluded that bone mass is a useful predictor of fractures, but other age-related factors also play a role. The findings support the importance of bone mass in predicting fracture risk, especially in older women. The study highlights the need for further research to identify additional factors that contribute to fracture risk. The results also suggest that bone mass is at least as useful in predicting fractures as cholesterol is in predicting coronary heart disease.This study investigated the relationship between bone mass and fracture risk in 521 Caucasian women over 6.5 years. Bone mass was measured at the radius, and 138 nonspinal fractures were recorded. The results showed that fracture incidence increased with age and decreased bone mass. Age was a stronger predictor of hip fractures, while midshaft radius bone mass was a stronger predictor of distal forearm fractures. Bone mass was found to be a useful predictor of fractures, but other age-related factors also contribute to fracture risk. The study used a prospective design with repeated bone mass measurements and detailed fracture tracking. Bone mass was measured using Norland single photon absorptiometers, and fractures were documented through medical records and x-rays. Fractures from automobile accidents and spinal fractures were excluded. The data were analyzed using a log-linear model, which showed that the rate of fracture was influenced by age and bone mass. The model accounted for between-subject variability and used a quasi-likelihood approach for parameter estimation. The results indicated that bone mass and age independently contribute to fracture risk. For hip fractures, age was a stronger predictor than radius bone mass, but the relative risk was similar to that for all fractures. For distal forearm fractures, bone mass was a stronger predictor than age. The study also found that bone mass was a weaker predictor for fractures at the skull, hands, and feet, which do not increase with age. The study concluded that bone mass is a useful predictor of fractures, but other age-related factors also play a role. The findings support the importance of bone mass in predicting fracture risk, especially in older women. The study highlights the need for further research to identify additional factors that contribute to fracture risk. The results also suggest that bone mass is at least as useful in predicting fractures as cholesterol is in predicting coronary heart disease.