The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) vision is a world without fragility fractures, in which healthy mobility is a reality for all.
IOF champions bone health and the prevention of fractures due to osteoporosis, an noncommunicable disease (NCD) which is a major cause of disability and early death worldwide. Strong bones are the key to mobility and independence in seniors!IOF is the only worldwide organisation dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis and related fragility fractures. A not-for-profit, non-governmental global organisation, IOF is comprised of scientists, physicians, corporate partners and 240-member patient and medical societies worldwide.
IOF works with stakeholders and partner organisations to advance understanding and awareness of bone health and fracture prevention. Through its many projects and programmes the Foundation seeks to empower the public and patients to take action for prevention and treatment; campaigns for health policy change around the world; supports its member national patient societies; advances scientific research and medical best practice; and trains healthcare professionals so they can provide the best possible care to patients worldwide.
Musculoskeletal disorders, which include osteoporosis, are the second greatest cause of disability as measured by years lived with disability, both worldwide and across most regions of the world. As a result of these serious noncommunicable diseases, many senior citizens die prematurely, or lose their ability to lead active, productive, and independent lives. Nevertheless, osteoporosis, in particular, still suffers from misperceptions and a vast level of under-diagnosis and under-treatment.
To address this evident need for education, awareness and policy change, IOF has carried out longstanding policy initiatives in Europe, published important regional ‘white papers’, and partnered with the broader medical community and organizations representing related NCDs. It holds an annual World Osteoporosis Day campaign which rallies patient societies in all regions of the world.
IOF’s Capture the Fracture initiative to promote the implementation of fracture liaison services (FLS) in clinics worldwide has sparked interest in secondary fracture prevention and has helped to drive an impressive increase in the number of FLS. These are just a few examples of how IOF seeks to drive change to prioritize the prevention of osteoporosis and fragility fractures among the main stakeholders – patients/public, healthcare professionals and health authorities.
Rue Juste Olivier 9
Nyon 1260
Switzerland
NCDs share common risk factors and challenges in care, and can be effectively addressed through an integrated response. In the first policy brief of a new series, NCDA and IOF focus on reasons for increased prevalence of osteoporosis in people living with other NCDs.
Read more