Decatur County Hospital held Bone Clinic sessions, offered osteoporosis screenings

Decatur County Hospital hosted Bone Clinic sessions December 16, 17 and 18, 2025, offering osteoporosis screening, risk factor counseling, and follow up care for patients in the county and surrounding communities. The clinics were staffed by Elizabeth Libby Allen, ARNP, FNP, who leads bone health services at the hospital.

The hospital webpage for the Bone Clinic lists the services provided and the typical risk factors clinicians evaluate. Those risk factors include postmenopausal status, low vitamin D levels, the use of certain medications that can affect bone density, and age 50 and older. The clinic is designed to identify people with increased risk of osteoporosis so they can receive counseling, monitoring, and coordinated follow up care if needed.

For many residents of Decatur County, the clinic sessions offered a convenient way to assess bone health without traveling to larger regional centers. Early detection of low bone density can change how clinicians manage fracture risk and overall mobility, particularly for older adults and people taking medications that impact bone strength. The clinic model also connects patients to ongoing outpatient services at the hospital for treatment planning and repeat monitoring.

Although the December sessions have concluded, residents who missed the dates or who need screening at another time can schedule appointments through the hospital outpatient scheduling link. The Bone Clinic information and scheduling are available at decaturcountyhospital.org/boneclinic/. The webpage also provides contact information for the hospital outpatient clinic for those seeking an appointment or more information.

Local health providers and community organizations can use the availability of these services to raise awareness about bone health ahead of winter months when falls are more common. Residents concerned about osteoporosis risk factors are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider or to use the hospital scheduling link to arrange screening and follow up care.