According to a letter in the May 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association,  Surgeon General Richard Carmona predicts that by the year 2020, half of Americans over the age of 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass if no immediate action is taken. He urges dietetics professionals to take the lead in routinely assessing patients’ diet and lifestyle behaviors that affect bone health, including calcium and vitamin D intake and physical activity. Carmona wrote that dietitians can make the most impact on the national effort to reduce risk for osteoporosis by encouraging Americans to eat a healthful balance of nutritious foods, which includes calcium-rich dairy products. He urged people to read The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What it Means to You.