Promoting Policy Change
As the number of ageing people grows around the world, the burden of osteoporosis is expected to increase at an alarming rate. IOF lobbies policy makers and health authorities to increase accessibility to diagnosis and treatment prior to the first fracture in order to reduce the impact of osteoporotic fractures – now and in the future.
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“Policy makers must not ignore the plight of millions of people who will have osteoporotic fractures if nothing is done. We are at a crossroads and need urgent policy changes if we are to avoid an epidemic of osteoporotic fractures.”
Daniel Navid, chief executive officer, IOF |
The Foundation collaborates with member national societies and other societies active in the field of osteoporosis to raise awareness among authorities, and to educate healthcare professionals and the general public. At the international level, IOF organizes policy events such as the Women Leaders Roundtables to call for governments worldwide to take action, and supports the development of national economic white papers. Policy initiatives concerning osteoporosis are also undertaken in cooperation with other partners, including intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.
The most important objective of IOF's policy work in Europe has been to further implement the eight recommendations published by the European Commission in 1998 to make the prevention of osteoporosis and related fractures a governmental health care priority in all European Union Member States. Among other actions since 1998, IOF has assisted in the launch of a European Union Osteoporosis Consultation Panel and a European Parliament Osteoporosis Interest Group (see Initiatives in the EU). An important aspect of IOF's policy program is the continuing support of the Consultation Panel and the EP Interest group, which involves the organization of annual meetings and production of related publications.
 Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan and The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, at the First IOF Women Leaders Roundtable 2002. |
 IOF's initiatives in the EU have been successful in raising awareness of osteoporosis among policy officials in Europe. |
Many of the IOF and IOF members' policy initiatives are summarized in the IOF newsletter 'Osteoporosis Action' which is published three times a year.
