About Us
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a registered not-for-profit, non-governmental foundation based in Switzerland. IOF has been granted Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
IOF functions as a global alliance of patient societies, research organizations, healthcare professionals and international companies working to promote bone, muscle and joint health.
We do this by:
- Empowering people to take action to prevent, diagnose and treat bone, muscle and joint disorders
- Campaigning for policy change to make bone, muscle and joint disorders a healthcare priority
- Assisting healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care to people with bone, muscle and joint disorders
- Supporting national osteoporosis societies to maximize their effectiveness in promoting bone, muscle and joint health
The IOF vision is a world in which people of all ages benefit from good bone, muscle and joint health, free of fragility fractures due to osteoporosis.
Vision, Mission and Goals
Vision
- The IOF vision isa world in which people of all ages benefit from good bone, muscle and joint health, free of fragility fractures due to osteoporosis
Mission
- To promote the maintenance of bone, muscle and joint health as a worldwide priority
Goals
- To motivate people to take action to maintain musculoskeletal health and prevent, diagnose and treat bone, muscle and joint disorders
- To foster the education and training of physicians and allied health care professionals in the field of musculoskeletal health and bone, muscle and joint disorders
- To lobby for policy change so that musculoskeletal health and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of bone, muscle and joint disorders becomes standard worldwide
- To promote medical innovation and to improve patient care in the field of musculoskeletal health
- To support and maintain contacts with institutions or societies having similar objectives
What We Do
Partnering with 209 national societies in 96 global locations, as well as scientists and companies around the world, IOF works towards the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and bone, muscle and joint disorders. We focus our efforts on:
- Research – IOF is at the forefront of research in the field of bone, muscle and joint disorders
- Training and Education – IOF provides training and resources to ensure bone, muscle and joint disorders are addressed
- Promoting our Global Network – IOF works with organizations around the world to improve bone, muscle and joint health
- Policy and Advocacy – IOF calls on decision-makers to make bone, muscle and joint health a priority for healthcare systems
- Global Campaigning – IOF leads a global movement for change to raise public awareness and promote action on bone, muscle and joint health
Grants and Awards
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) supports research in the field of musculoskeletal health through a generous programme of grants and awards. We believe on-going research is essential to advancing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and bone, muscle and joint disorders.
IOF has the most diverse grants and awards programme in the field, acknowledging the work of experienced scientists, young investigators, as well as national societies producing high quality meetings.
IOF also promotes the work of national societies by supporting their attendance at the World Wide Conference of Patient Societies, the only venue where patient societies in the field of musculoskeletal health can come together to learn and share best practices.
For more information and to apply for grants and awards, follow the links below.
Scientific Grants and Awards
- IOF-Fonterra Bone Health Insights Research Grant
- IOF Medal of Achievement
- IOF-Servier Young Investigator Research Grant
- IOF Regionals Young Investigator Awards
- Pierre Delmas Prize: An ESCEO-IOF/Servier Achievement Award
- Herbert A. Fleisch ESCEO-IOF Medal
- Olof Johnell Science Award
- Young Investigator Outstanding Abstract Award
Committee Membership Grants and Awards
- Presidents Award (formerly Pierre Delmas Award)
- IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Grant
- IOF-AMGEN Health Professionals Awareness Grant
- Committee of National Society Medal
- Worldwide Conference of Patient Societies Support Grant