Incidence and risk factors for hip fractures among U.S. Armed Forces active component women compared to men, 2018-2022.

ABSTRACT

Women, who comprise approximately 18% of the U.S. Armed Forces, suffer disproportionately higher rates of musculoskeletal injuries among active component service members. Using a retrospective study design, this study calculated incidence rates and rate ratios for acute hip fractures and hip stress fractures from January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2022 among female and male active component U.S. military members. Women who were younger than age 20 years, in recruit training, serving in the Army or Marine Corps, engaged in combat-related occupations, and with body mass indexes in the underweight or normal weight categories had the highest rates of both types of fractures. Women who had progressed beyond the recruit training phase had a higher female-to-male rate ratios of hip stress fractures than recruits. Despite an overall decline during the surveillance period, rates of acute hip fracture and hip stress fracture were higher among women than men. Changes in training and fitness policies may have contributed to the hip fracture rate declines among women. Continued efforts are needed to further reduce injuries among women.