Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55 percent of people 50 and older.

Douglas County Senior Services will be having a seminar about how to prevent the disease from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vt..

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and can break from a minor fall or, in some cases, from a simple action such as a sneeze.

There will be free bone density tests given by students from Kansas University School of Pharmacy and pharmacists. Nancy O’Conner, education and outreach coordinator from The Community Mercantile, will talk about nutrition and bone health.

The seminar is free, but reservations are encouraged by calling Senior Services at 842-0543.