A first-of-its-kind international survey was presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis in Chicago on June 16th. Conducted by an international research firm for IOF, the survey questioned 1,071 physicians and 559 postmenopausal women from 11 different countries about their attitudes and current approach to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

See press release and summary report 'How Fragile is Her Future' (PDF file, 1.2 MB)

IOF-MSD 'Invest in Your Bones" grants awarded in Chicago

Five national societies working to fight osteoporosis were awarded the first IOF-MSD 'Invest in Your Bones' grants on June 12, 2000 in Chicago. The grants, given jointly by IOF-International Osteoporosis Foundation and MSD-Merck, Sharpe and Dohme, support innovative education projects aimed at encouraging people at risk of osteoporosis to have their bones tested. The winners received USD 10,000 plus a bronze statue designed by French sculptor, Robert Thouret.

See press release and further information about the winning projects.

Premier of new song "Bone of my own" in Chicago

Ilanit, famous Israeli singer lends her voice and support to the osteoporosis movement

Participants at the 6th Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies in Chicago were treated to a rare event: the premiere of a moving song, specially composed for IOF to help raise awareness about osteoporosis. This exciting project was initiated and carried out by the Israeli Foundation for Osteoporosis and Bone Diseases (IFOB) and was the brainstorm of Tel Aviv public relations expert, Aliza Zanna, who voluteered her services to the osteoporosis cause. "No one before had thought of using a song to lead a global battle against a disease," says Zanna. "Bone of my own" is available on CD, sung by famous Israeli singer Ilanit who in the past has also lent her support in a series of public ad campaigns.

See the press release

Listen to the song in English as sung by Ilanit:
RealAudio-Version (970 KB)
MP3-Version, lower quality (1.5 MB)
MP3-Version, higher quality (3.5 MB)

Just published!

IOF Annual Report 1999

IOF position paper appears in Osteoporosis International

Read "An Update on the Diagnosis and Assessment of Osteoporosis with Densitometry" by J.A. Kanis and C.-C. Gluer for the Committee of Scientific Advisors. Also, see the accompanying editorial "Do We Need to Change the WHO Definition of Osteoporosis?" by P.D. Delmas.

With the help of IOF, the Dutch Osteoporosis Foundation & Society (DOFS) conducted a written survey of their members. The questionnaire was based on the "Queleffo" questionnaire developed by the Scientific Advisory Board of the EFFO, now IOF. Given the high response rate, the survey can be considered representative of the Dutch osteoporosis patient in general. Survey results in English, Dutch

The latest issue of the IOF News is available online:
IOF News, No. 1, Vol. 4, Winter 2000 (PDF file, 315 KB)

Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) officially launched

IOF joined the Bone & Joint Decade 2000-2010 when Mary Anderson, Executive Director of IOF, was unanimously elected to the Decade's Steering Committee in March 1999. The Decade was officially launched at a Press Conference and Educational Program on January 13th in Geneva, followed in the evening by a Gala Dinner where some 200 international guests marked the occasion.

IOF interviewed Professor Lars Lidgren, Chair of the BJD International Steering Committee, on the work of the Decade and its contribution to the fight against osteoporosis. Read the interview, which will also appear in the upcoming issue of IOF News.

IOF international survey: a cause for concern

Over the past two years IOF has been carrying out a survey among its member societies to evaluate international awareness of osteoporosis and availability of diagnostic tools and therapy.
The survey confirms: a low overall awareness of osteoporosis (even among physicians!); low proportion of patients receiving pharmaceutical treatment (even after hip fractures!); negative attitude towards HRT among women; no, or restricted, reimbursement of bone mass measurement. There is evidently still much work to be done to raise awareness of osteoporosis!

Detailed survey results are available here.

See press release which resulted from the survey:
JUST 1 IN 5 OSTEOPOROSIS PATIENTS RECEIVE PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENT; SITUATION CALLED "A SCANDAL" BY COORDINATOR OF IOF STUDY

Note to Members: Following her recent marriage, IOF’s Executive Director has changed her name from Mary Fraser to Mary Anderson.

Interim Report and Recommendations of the World Health OrganizationTask Force for Osteoporosis

Just published in October’s issue of Osteoporosis International, the Interim Report and Recommendations of the WHO Task Force for Osteoporosis represents the first step in the preparation of a master document that will provide international guidelines for the improved diagnosis and care of osteoporosis patients worldwide. Read about the WHO Strategy for Osteoporosis and download the Interim Report.

"...WHO sees the need for a global strategy for prevention and control of osteoporosis"

Dr. Gro Harlem Brundltand
Director General, WHO

Read the interview
 
IOF coordinated the launch of the WHO Strategy for Osteoporosis at a press conference in Lyon France on October 11th. During the press launch, IOF stressed the linkages between the WHO strategy and this year’s World Osteoporosis Day theme of early detection. Information available to attending journalists included a press release, feature article and osteoporosis fact sheet (see Current Press Releases and Articles).