To help address the growing burden of osteoporosis in China, International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) CEO Dr Philippe Halbout travelled across the country this October to meet key stakeholders. During this formal visit, Dr Halbout delivered a keynote address at the Chinese Society for Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Research (CSOBMR) Congress 2026, visited Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) recognised on the IOF Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice, and met with local experts and public health officials. IOF’s ongoing collaboration and partnerships in China aim to support wider access to appropriate care for people with osteoporosis across the country. These efforts are central to the Foundation’s commitment to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases worldwide.

The growing burden of osteoporosis in China

In China, osteoporosis is highly prevalent, particularly among women and adults aged 65 and older, and fracture rates are expected to rise substantially in the coming decades as the population ages.[i] By 2075, an estimated 632.5 million people in China will be aged 50 or older, accounting for 55% of the population.[ii] Moreover, the number of people aged 70 or older is projected to reach approximately 339.2 million.[iii] This demographic shift highlights the need to address existing gaps in osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and to prepare for growing demand for related healthcare services.

Highlighting the role of FLS within a comprehensive national response to osteoporosis, Dr Halbout said, “Expanding Fracture Liaison Services across China would help ensure that more people who experience a fragility fracture receive coordinated assessment and appropriate treatment. As part of a comprehensive osteoporosis strategy, these services can prevent subsequent fractures and help the healthcare system respond to the needs of an ageing population.”

IOF CEO on global and regional challenges and solutions at CSOBMR 2026

At the CSOBMR 2026 Congress, Dr Halbout delivered a keynote address titled “Osteoporosis: Global burden, regional challenges and local solutions.” He highlighted IOF’s global network, professional learning initiatives, and patient resources, while emphasising the urgent need to address osteoporosis worldwide.

Turning to China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, Dr Halbout outlined key challenges, including rapid population ageing, limited access to diagnosis and treatment, and gaps in FLS coverage. In response to these challenges, IOF’s Capture the Fracture® programme has supported FLS development in China since 2013. China now has the largest number of participating services in the global network. Expanding this model offers an important opportunity to identify more fragility fractures, improve access to care and help prevent life-changing secondary fractures.

Dr Halbout also called for greater public awareness, professional training, targeted policies, improved access to DXA scanners for bone density tests, and stronger stakeholder collaboration to address the growing burden of osteoporosis in China.

Capture the Fracture® Network in China

IOF’s Capture the Fracture® programme supports hospitals and clinics in China to implement FLS and help close the post-fracture care gap. During his trip, Dr Halbout visited services recognised on the Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice at Changshu No. 2 People’s Hospital and Jiangsu Province Geriatric Hospital. These services reflect ongoing efforts to provide coordinated care and prevent subsequent fractures among people with osteoporosis.

The visits also offered valuable opportunities to learn from the teams’ experiences in establishing their FLS, including the challenges encountered and approaches adopted. These insights could inform future policy efforts and support wider FLS implementation.

IOF thanks iCare QCT for organising these important visits, and the teams at Changshu No. 2 People’s Hospital and Jiangsu Province Geriatric Hospital for their warm hospitality and for sharing their FLS experiences.

Opportunities to expand osteoporosis-focused care in China

Although China has the largest number of FLS recognised on the IOF Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice, further work is needed to increase coverage nationwide and across the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, approximately 10% of Chinese hospitals have an FLS.[iv] With support from public health officials, hospital leaders, and scientific experts, this proportion could increase. The need for wider coverage extends across the Asia-Pacific region, where more than a quarter of countries have yet to establish their first dedicated service for osteoporosis and fragility fracture care.[v] By helping to ensure that people who experience a fragility fracture receive appropriate assessment and treatment, FLS can close gaps in post-fracture care and may reduce healthcare costs associated with subsequent fractures.[vi]

As China’s population ages, expanding access to coordinated osteoporosis care is increasingly urgent. This type of health care service can help people living with osteoporosis maintain their mobility, independence, and quality of life while reducing the harmful effects of fractures. The exchanges at CSOBMR 2026, together with hospital visits and meetings with public health officials, reaffirmed that this expansion depends on sustained collaboration among organisations, healthcare providers, and public health authorities. China has an important opportunity to help more people with osteoporosis live healthy, active lives by building on established FLS experience, adapting international best practices to local needs, and translating scientific expertise into coordinated health care.