On World Osteoporosis Day held each 24 October, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) joins its more than 300 member organizations around the world to call on the public, health care professionals and health authorities to ‘Step up for bone Health’.

On this occasion we salute all individuals and organizations who are raising the volume on behalf of osteoporosis advocacy, education and awareness throughout the year. If you have not already done so, visit www.worldosteoporosisday.org to download our multi-language resources that can be disseminated within your community, in your practice, or shared in your social media. We also invite you to submit information about your World Osteoporosis Day events and campaigns to the website.

We also extend our special thanks to the European Space Agency (ESA) and ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti for their outstanding participation in our #LiftOffForBoneHealth public awareness campaign. We are so pleased to welcome Samantha back to Earth just in time for World Osteoporosis Day!

Remember - this is an ideal day to show your personal support for people with osteoporosis by signing the IOF Global Patient Charter - and we welcome endorsement by organizations, large or small.

On a final note, we leave you with two key messages from our World Osteoporosis Day media releases:

“A spinal fracture or a broken hip can be life-changing. This is why early prevention of osteoporosis is so important. Although much of our bone density is determined by genetic factors, there are steps we can take to strengthen our bones and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering a fracture in the future.”

“World Osteoporosis Day is a perfect time to remind all healthcare authorities that there is a proven way to stop the devastating and costly cycle of recurring fractures. All fragility fracture patients should be screened and treated through a post-fracture care model such as a Fracture Liaison Service, which has been shown to reduce re-fracture rates and mortality, and ultimately reduces the burden of fractures on healthcare systems.”

Read the complete press releases:

• On World Osteoporosis Day, take five steps to better bone health (Oct. 20, 2022)
• New online map presents snapshots of osteoporosis in 29 European countries (Oct 19, 2022)
• World Osteoporosis Day will mark 10th anniversary of the IOF Capture the Fracture® initiative (Oct 18, 2022)