Hip fracture is a major public health problem, with striking consequences for the older patient, her family and the health care system. More than 350,000 persons over age 65 will fracture a hip in the United States during the coming year at an estimated annual cost of over $12 billion; by 2040, over 650,000 hip fractures will occur annually in this group. Between 18-33% of older hip fracture patients die within one year of their fracture, depending upon the specific population studied. Most surviving hip fracture patients experience reduced mobility and lose their ability to function independently. As many as 45% of those who are community dwelling at the time of their fracture are discharged to institutions post-hospitalization, and 15-25% remain institutionalized for a year post-fracture. Further, significant strain is observed in over a third of family caregivers as long as a year post-fracture. Depending upon the population studied and function being assessed, an estimated 25-75% of those who are independent before their fracture can neither walk independently nor achieve their previous level of independent living within a year following their fracture and 10- 20% of those who sustained a hip fracture can expect to have another osteoporotic fracture within two years.