Highlights from World Congress on Osteoporosis, 11-14 April in London, UK

Published

Professor Jean-Yves Reginster (ESCEO President and Co-Chair of the Congress) welcomed thousands of delegates across the musculoskeletal field from close to 100 countries at the World Congress on osteoporosis in London. Australian researchers and Healthy Bones Australia participated at the conference.

New appointments

The International Osteoporosis Foundation announced:

Professor Nicholas Harvey (UK) as the new President of the International Osteoporosis Foundation

Dr Famida Jiwa (Canada) as new Chair of the Committee of National Societies (CNS) which represents over 300 societies worldwide (including Healthy Bones Australia)  

Key Awards

IOF Presidents Award

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) presented the prestigious IOF President’s Award to Australian expert Professor Peter Ebeling AO.

The award honours individuals who have made a significant and longstanding contribution to the advancement of the work of the IOF. The award was presented by IOF President Professor Nicholas Harvey at the Opening Session of the World Congress and he said “I am delighted to present this award to my esteemed colleague, whose numerous years of dedicated service have greatly enriched IOF’s initiatives in research and education. Through his active participation in IOF’s Board of Governance, Scientific Committee, and Regional Advisory Council for the Asia Pacific,  Peter Ebeling has made major contributions to the Foundation’s programs, outreach efforts, and impact within the scientific, policy and public spheres.” Professor Ebeling said “I am deeply honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 IOF President’s Award and I look forward to continue to energetically serve and support the IOF to advance bone health globally and to help all of our patients lead better lives.”

IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors Medal of Achievement

IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA) Medal of Achievement was presented to Dr Patricia Clark, Head of the Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit at Federico Gómez Children’s Hospital of Mexico.

Prof Clarks major research areas include osteoporosis and bone health in Mexico and Latin America and she has published over 140 articles and is currently collaborating with the Word Health Organisation program of Healthy Aging across the life course.

Patient Society Update  

The conference included information booths from numerous patient societies including – Royal Osteoporosis Society UK, Mongolian Society for Musculoskeletal Diseases, Armenia Osteoporosis Association, and the Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) among others. Special sessions involving Patient Society delegates hosted during the conference reviewed strategies for improving osteoporosis prevention and management, engaging policy makers, latest research and importance of World Osteoporosis Day for amplifying bone health across all regions.

Researchers and Delegates

Tereza Hough and Dr Famida Jawa
Dr Dana Bliuc and
Prof. Jaqueline Center
Prof. Manju Chandran

Professor Jean-Yves Reginster
Prof. Belinda Beck and
Prof. Peter Wong