More than 135 events were reported by members of IOF’s Committee of National Societies in all regions of the world – an important collective global effort to raise osteoporosis awareness this World Osteoporosis Day.

Together, we’ve spread the vital message ‘Say no to fragile bones’! 

IOF extends its heartfelt congratulations to all its member societies around the globe that have dedicated time and resources to raising awareness about osteoporosis around World Osteoporosis Day. Through impactful national and local campaigns, member organizations have empowered communities with knowledge, prevention strategies, and support for those affected by osteoporosis. 

Their unwavering commitment to improving bone health and reducing the risk of fractures has made a lasting difference, reaching millions and inspiring proactive steps toward healthier, stronger futures. 

Overview of CNS member campaigns featured on the World Osteoporosis Day Global Map of Events
(click on country name for complete listing of events reported)

ARGENTINA: A community talk was held by the Argentine Society of Osteoporosis (SAO) and the Argentine Society for Patients with Osteoporosis (SAPCO). The Asociación Argentina de Osteología Metabolismo Mineral held a social media campaign called  "I take care of my bones".

ARMENIA: Seven events were hosted by the Armenian Osteoporosis Association for both health professionals and the public, including two TV talk shows. The virtual conference on Parathyroid Gland Disorders was a great success, and held in cooperation with the Georgian national society.

AUSTRALIA: Healthy Bones Australia launched a major new report ‘Osteoporosis and fractures in Australia. A burden of disease

analysis 2023-2033’ at Parliament House Canberra, with VIP participation. The RACP/ANZBMS hosted a webinar on the role of exercise in the management of osteoporosis. 

BELARUS: The Belarusian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism held an interdisciplinary seminar “Osteoporosis in clinical practice - focus on prevention” to promote greater awareness among healthcare professionals.

BRAZIL: ABRASSO organized a large public event in the center of Sao Paulo, while FEBRASGO carried out a digital campaign on ‘Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis and treatment:  The ObGyn perspectives’. Media interviews were held by the Federal University of Technology in Parana. 

CANADA: Osteoporosis Canada launched a new nutrient calculator and held webinars for both patients and healthcare professionals. 

COLOMBIA: On November 9th, experts from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Chile and Argentina will share vital knowledge about bone health care and osteoporosis prevention in a ‘World Osteoporosis Day Commemoration’ virtual event. The academic meeting promoted by ACOMM, ASOPAN and the LICAR Foundation will be broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook.

EGYPT: The Egyptian Society of Osteoporosis and Geriatrics held an educational session on osteoporosis management, and the Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University held both a public and health professional event. The Rheumatology Dept. of the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University held a public education event which included free screening. 

FINLAND: Bone week is celebrated in Finland every year, with the week ending on World Osteoporosis Day. This year’s theme was

centred on the bone health of children and young people. A wide range of lectures and events (including a TV talk show and a guest event at parliament) were held. The week culminated in ‘White Shirt Day’ on October 20th.  

FRANCE: The Association Française de Lutte Antirhumatismale (AFLAR) participated in an event hosted by the University of Bordeaux, and other universities held awareness events.

GEORGIA: The Georgian Association of Skeletal Metabolism Diseases co-hosted an online seminar together with the Armenian Osteoporosis Society. As well, the Georgian Western League of Rheumatologists and Rehabilitation specialists offered free consultations, and held TV interviews to disseminate information about osteoporosis. 

GERMANY: The Bundesselbsthilfeverband für Osteoporose e.V. (BfO) held its annual large public information event for World Osteoporosis Day in Mainz on October 19th. The event features a wide range of activities including lectures and workshops. 

GREECE: The Butterfly Bone Health Society held its annual World Osteoporosis Day conference for public and patients. The theme

was ‘A real conversation between patients and doctors’ to focus on improving patient-doctor dialogue. Thematic sessions were held around osteoporosis, exercise, nutrition, vitamins, arthritis, psychology and many other issues of interest to patients. 

HONG KONG SAR CHINA: The Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong (OSHK) organized its 24th Regional Osteoporosis Conference with the theme “Osteoporosis in All Walks of Life - A Multidisciplinary Odyssey”. 

INDONESIA: To commemorate National Osteoporosis Day 2024, both PEROSI and PERWATUSI (Indonesian Healthy Bones Association) held events. Due to national elections, the main National Osteoporosis Day 2024 Celebration has been postponed until December 15th. Some 10,000 members of the public are expected to attend the event in Jakarta, which will include a Fun Walk, a public seminar on osteoporosis, and free bone health checks. A Virtual Seminar for health professionals on November 10th will be held collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Indonesia. 

IRAN: An impressive array of events and campaigns were held by the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the Iran Osteoporosis Society. Events ranged from seminars for healthcare professionals to public events and a nationwide awareness campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. The latter included a series of educational events and activities with a focus on educating women over 50 about osteoporosis and the importance of early intervention.

ISRAEL: The Israeli Foundation for Osteoporosis (IFOB) held two events, a webinar for the general public in cooperation with experts from the Wolfson University Medical Center and a conference on the multi-professional approach to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis for healthcare professionals. 

ITALY : Among the events held in Italy was a major policy Roundtable called ‘The Italian Initiative on Fragility Fractures’ which was

hosted by FIRMO and the Parliamentary interest group, in the Senate Library in Rome. IOF was delighted to be invited to speak at the high-profile session. A media interview in a popular morning show was one of many ways in which bone health was highlighted throughout the country. 

JAPAN: The Japanese Osteoporosis Society together with the Kanazawa Society for Protecting Bones hosted the 26th Joint Public Forum on October 13th. In addition to the Public Forum, WOD 2024 also included the display of a tapestry on the Kanazawa Station Motenashi Dome and the blue lighting of the Kanazawa Station Drum Gate from 8 to 14 October. Other events were held by hospitals and Fracture Liaison Services. 

MALAYSIA: IOF member societies Malaysian Osteoporosis Society (MOS) and the Osteoporosis Awareness Society of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (OASKLS), part of the Bone Health Alliance Malaysia participated in a double commemoration of National Sports Day and WOD, an event which attracted some 30,000 participants. The International Islamic University Malaysia (IOF University Network) held a ‘Capture the fracture’  event aimed at raising awareness about bone health among the elderly. 

MONGOLIA: The Mongolian Naran Society of Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Health held a large public information event in

cooperation with the First Central Hospital of Mongolia, the Department of Health Research, Graduate School, MNUMS, and the School of Public Health, MNUMS. 

NEW ZEALAND: On World Osteoporosis Day, Osteoporosis New Zealand issued a press release urging Kiwis of all ages to prioritise their bone health, and linked to helpful publications in social media. 

PANAMA: The Fundación de Osteoporosis y Enfermedades Metabólicas Oseas (FOSEMO) launched its new ‘Take Care And Move Your Bones’ campaign at an event for the press, and presented the new version of its ‘Huesina’ mascot.  An event was also held for the general public and discussions were held with health providers from the Ministry of Health. 

PORTUGAL: The Associação Portuguesa de Osteoporose held a public event which included tests, workshops, talks, physical activity, and a calcium-rich lunch for participants.  SPODOM issued social media and an opinion article in ‘Médico News’.

QATAR: The Qatar Rheumatology Association held a large public event, providing information about bone health and osteoporosis

prevention to people of all ages. 

RUSSIAN FEDERATION: As they do each year for World Osteoporosis Day, the Russian Osteoporosis Association (RAOP) and the patient society ‘OSTEORUS’ carried out a very impressive number of events (more than 30!) throughout the country. As well, a video for Russian-speaking doctors explaining the use of online fracture risk assessment in clinical practice was produced Dr Ludmila Evstignyeeva.

SLOVENIA: More than 600 members of all 18 regional patients societies within the Association of Osteoporosis Patient Associations of Slovenia (SBDO) celebrated and exchanged information about good practices, new knowledge, music, and political awareness of the importance of timely detection of osteoporosis.

SOUTH AFRICA: The National Osteoporosis Foundation South Africa (NOFSA) held a webinar for healthcare professionals ‘Ethical Aspects of not assessing and managing the older patient for osteoporosis’ and will be holding its annual ‘Rattle your bones – 5 Km fun run’. 

SPAIN: The Spanish Foundation for Osteoporosis & Bone Diseases (FHOEMO), the Spanish Society for Bone Research & Mineral Metabolism (SEIOMM) and the Spanish Association for Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis (AECOSAR) launched the campaign

#RompeConLasRefracturas (Break with (Re)fractures) with the aim of preventing secondary fractures. Among the other events reported in Spain, was the Spanish Society of Rheumatology’s nutrition webinar for patients with rheumatological diseases. 

TAIWAN: The Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association (TOA) issued a press release that appeared in the Taipei Times warning that osteoporosis is a “silent killer,” because many patients are unaware of their bone loss until they experience a potentially life-threatening fracture.

TURKIYE: The Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolism Society held an information meeting on osteoporosis and related conditions for health workers, at which questions could be asked and information was disseminated. 

UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Association of Osteoporosis held Facebook meetings for patients and events for healthcare professionals that included a meeting on ‘Osteoporosis and osteopenia as a metabolic disease - a comorbid patient’ as well as the presentation of GIOP recommendations for the Ukraine. 

UNITED KINGDOM: Among other activities, the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) issued a new survey that revealed an enormous awareness gap, which serves to fuel the growing rates of hospitalisation and disability as the population ages. There were also radio broadcasts with ROS celebrity ambassadors.

USA: On World Osteoporosis Day, the National Spine Health Foundation held the ‘We've Got Your Back - 5 K Fun Run & Walk. The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) shared resources and social media tools and held various webinars for patients and public throughout the month. 

URUGUAY: The Uruguayan Society of Rheumatology hosted a scientific meeting to promote awareness on osteoporosis burden, fracture risk, prevention and management among the variety of medical specialties that would play a significant role on preserving people's bone health. 

ZIMBABWE: The Zimbabwe Osteoporosis and Bone-Health Society (ZOBS) hosted a Run/Walk Event of 3, 5, and 10 km followed by public information on osteoporosis.