The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) announced today that its Board of Governance has unanimously ratified Professor Nicholas Harvey as the Foundation’s next President. IOF is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. The IOF network includes committees of scientific researchers as well as more than 330 patient and medical organizations, universities, and fracture liaison services. Together, this influential global network works to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide healthcare priority. 

Professor Harvey has succeeded Professor Cyrus Cooper, IOF President since 2017, who had earlier announced that he would be stepping down from the role.

Professor Cooper stated, “I could not be more pleased with this outcome. Professor Harvey’s long-standing dedication to the Foundation, his skill and experience as former Chair of the Committee of Scientific Advisors and his world-class contributions to the field of osteoporosis make him the perfect choice to lead IOF into the future. It is wonderful to know that I am leaving the Presidency in such capable hands as the Foundation progresses its mission worldwide.” 

Professor Harvey is Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre and Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology, at the University of Southampton, UK. He has published extensively (over 400 research papers), is an Associate Editor of Osteoporosis International and serves on the editorial boards of other leading scientific journals in the field. He is the immediate past-Chair of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors, a member of the ESCEO Board, a current architect of FRAX^® and a past Trustee of the UK Royal Osteoporosis Society. He is a member of the UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group Advisory Committee, Chair of the UK Biobank Frailty and Ageing Working Group and DXA lead for the UK Biobank Imaging Working Group. Professor Harvey’s achievements have been recognized through numerous international awards, most recently the IOF Olof Johnell Science Prize, ORTOMED Medal and IOF CSA Medal of Achievement. 

Professor Harvey stated, “It is a great honour and privilege to be afforded the opportunity to serve our global community as President of the International Osteoporosis Foundation. I look forward with eager anticipation to  working with the IOF’s global community of dedicated individuals and organizations in our shared mission to advance musculoskeletal health and fracture prevention for patients and populations.”

“It is a particular pleasure and privilege to follow in the footsteps of Professor Cyrus Cooper, a preeminent figure in our field, and a long-time mentor, colleague and friend. His enormous contributions to both the IOF and the wider field represent a wonderful legacy, and I know that the entire IOF family shares my heartfelt gratitude."

Professor Harvey’s election to the role of IOF President was approved by the newly elected IOF Board for the term 2024-2028 which convened for the first time prior to the start of the World Congress of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, taking place in London, UK from April 11-14, 2024. The Board composition, with four members from each of the six world regions, reflects IOF’s global vision and commitment to equitable representation. On this occasion, the Board also unanimously approved the appointment of Professor René Rizzoli as IOF Treasurer, and Professor Jean-Yves Reginster as IOF General Secretary. 

IOF CEO Dr Philippe Halbout welcomed the new IOF President and thanked Professor Cooper for his service at the helm of IOF over the past seven years, “I very much look forward to working with Professor Harvey as we embark on a journey to grow and strengthen the global osteoporosis field.  At the same time, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Cyrus Cooper. It has been an honour and immense privilege to work with him in advancing the IOF vision and missions. His legacy will endure indefinitely.”

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For further information about the International Osteoporosis Foundation and its many projects and programmes visit 
www.osteoporosis.foundation