How to Support or Get Involved with the International Osteoporosis Foundation

You can support the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) in several ways: become an IOF Premium Supporter, use and share its educational resources, join or connect with a member association, take part in World Osteoporosis Day, or engage with regional initiatives such as the Asia Pacific Regional Audit. The right route depends on whether you want to give financial support, learn about bone health, or participate in awareness and advocacy work.

Become an IOF Premium Supporter

The most direct way to contribute financially is to become an official IOF supporter. According to the IOF website, supporters contribute to the organization's mission of "a world without fragility fractures, in which healthy mobility is a reality for all."

The site lists these supporter benefits:

• Access to a variety of scientific journals
• Discounts for IOF Academy courses
• Resources for patients and healthcare professionals
• Additional benefits described on the supporter page

Before you sign up: The IOF site mentions a "subscribe" option and a supporter sign-up path, but the provided page content does not state the cost, payment methods, or whether any account or login is required. Check the supporter page directly for current terms before committing.

Learn and share IOF educational resources

If you want to raise awareness rather than donate, IOF's educational material is designed for exactly that. The site describes osteoporosis as a disease that makes bones weak and fragile, greatly increasing fracture risk even after a minor fall or bump. It also stresses that the disease has no obvious symptoms, so many people only learn they have it after a fracture — which is why prevention matters.

Useful resources to explore and pass on:

• IOF Academy — an e-learning platform for osteoporosis and bone health, developed with experts in the field and curated by IOF faculty. Suitable for healthcare professionals and anyone wanting a structured understanding of osteoporosis management.
• Patient stories — first-hand accounts from people around the world, including a 20-year-old in Russia and a 97-year-old in the United States, showing that osteoporosis affects people of all ages.
• The documentary "Osteoporosis: A Silent Disease" — covers the emotional and physical challenges of living with fragile bones; a practical item to share during awareness activities.

Join the global community and member associations

IOF describes itself as a global community "stronger together," and the site cites 350 member associations, 161 scientific advisors, and more than 1,360 Fracture Liaison Services. If you want to get involved locally, contacting a national osteoporosis association in your country is the most concrete step — these organizations typically run local awareness, patient support, and professional education.

For healthcare professionals, Fracture Liaison Services are worth knowing about: they are coordinated programs that help identify and follow up with people who have had a fragility fracture.

Take part in awareness events and regional initiatives

• World Osteoporosis Day — IOF promotes this annual awareness day; the site includes a countdown and a "Know more" link. Participating usually means sharing campaign material or organizing local activity through a member association.
• Regional audits and reports — the APCO-IOF Asia Pacific Regional Audit covers epidemiology, costs, and burden of osteoporosis across 22 countries and regions with 32 national societies, and includes country profile reports and an interactive map. Useful if you work in policy, public health, or research in that region.
• Congresses — the site lists the WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress (2027) for those who want to engage with the scientific community.

Which route fits you?

A practical first step for most people is to read the "What is osteoporosis?" section and one patient story, then decide whether to support financially, volunteer through a member association, or simply share the resources with someone at risk.