Past World Osteoporosis Day Activities

Initiated in 1996 by the UK National Osteoporosis Society, World Osteoporosis Day has been sponsored and promoted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation since 1997. In 1998 and 1999, the WHO played a significant role as a co-sponsor, thereby lending an even greater international weight to this annual event. Since then, the public outreach and media impact of World Osteoporosis Day has grown significantly, involving national osteoporosis societies from all regions of the world.

Below is a short summary of past WOD activities.

World Osteoporosis Day 2004

Osteoporosis in Men

World Osteoporosis Day 2004 focused on raising awareness about osteoporosis in men. Although it is now estimated that at up to one in five men over the age of 50 may be affected by osteoporosis, most people (and many doctors!) still view osteoporosis as a women's disease. IOF published the Invest in Your Bones report Osteoporosis in Men and participated in international press conferences. Two poster designs were made available to members.

See list of 2004 National Activities

World Osteoporosis Day 2004 posters:

World Osteoporosis Day 2003

Quality of Life

The theme of World Osteoporosis Day 2003 was "Quality of Life". Fractures severely impact quality of life – vertebral and hip fractures in particular can cause long term disability and are also associated with a high rate of mortality among the elderly. WOD 2003 and the Invest in Your Bones Report 'Quality of life' emphasized both the serious impact of osteoporotic fractures and the importance of preventing fractures in order to maintain an independent and active lifestyle even in old age. The international launch of the WOD poster and print advertising was held at a press conference in Hong Kong on October 17, 2003.

See list of 2003 National Activities

World Osteoporosis Day 2002

A wide range of activities were carried out by IOF members under the theme "Invest in your bones: Prevent the first fracture". IOF issued the thematic report Osteoporosis in the Workplace: The social, economic and human costs of osteoporosis on employees, employers and governments. The Spanish edition of the report was launched at the 3rd IOF Latin American Conference on Osteoporosis at Isla de Margarita in Venezuela October 16-20 and the English edition at the 3rd International Meeting on Social and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, Barcelona, Spain, November 7-9, 2002.

IOF also produced information templates for global use which summarized key messages on consequences of first fracture, individual action, and ‘What needs to be done’. A poster, showing a breaking wishbone, based on a design produced by Lebanese Osteoporosis Prevention Society, was offered to all member societies and distributed internationally.

See list of 2002 National Activities

World Osteoporosis Day 2001

In 2001, IOF carried out several international events, including: a media workshop and press conference in Mexico City, the launch of a major Photographic Exhibit called "Osteoporosis: A Photographic Vision by Oliviero Toscani" and European Osteotour, both in Rome on October 19th. In addition to a World Osteoporosis Day video, IOF issued the first of its successful thematic reports under the title of ‘Invest in Your Bones’. The 2001 report, which focused on bone development in young people, was translated into over 20 languages.

See list of 2001 National Activities

World Osteoporosis Day 2000

In 2000, IOF held an international press conference at the UN buildings in Geneva, including an "Osteobus" in which journalists could have their bones tested. The occasion was used to launch the First IOF-Alliance Osteoporosis Media Awards. IOF also co-organized a media workshop and press conference was held in Madrid Spain. For the first time, a ‘World Osteoporosis Day video’ was produced and made available to the media.

2000 National Activities

World Osteoporosis Day 1999

In 1999 the 4th World Osteoporosis Day was held on the theme "Early Detection". It was preceded by the October 11th IOF-WHO press conference in Lyon, held to launch the Interim Report and Recommendations of the World Health Organization Task Force for Osteoporosis. Attracting a large group of international journalists, this collaborative effort gave the recommendations of the WHO Task Force for Osteoporosis a high degree of media presence while providing valuable publicity for the upcoming World Osteoporosis Day. The special WOD logo, symbolizing the "Will to Live", was first created by Lega Italiana Osteoporosi for WOD '99. It was the preferred logo design of three proposals submitted by that organization. IOF wishes to acknowledge Dr. Maria Luisa Bianchi, Secretary General of the Lega Italiana Osteoporosi, who coordinated the project and set a wonderful example of collaboration among members of the IOF network.

1999 National Activities