In a recent article in The Journal, Jacobsen et al demonstrated a positive ecologic association between hip fracture discharge rates in the United States and fluoride content in water supplies. In a similar study, we recently reported the ecological association of discharge rates for hip fracture and water fluoride levels in 39 county districts in England. Our study was performed in response to the suggestion that fluoridation of water might serve to stem the rising tide of hip fracture in western populations. Such a strategy was supported by laboratory evidence that fluoride was a potent inducer of bone formation, and by epidemiologic studies from Finland [see note] and the United States demonstrating lower rates of hip fractures associated with higher water fluoride levels. Our analysis demonstrated no significant association between discharge rate and total fluoride concentration (r=.16, P=.34). This lack of association was found for both men and women, as well as in a restricted analysis eliminating the smaller counties. However, the results from the recent US study prompted us to reexamine our data.