On World Osteoporosis Day, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is calling on people of all ages to take action for lifelong bone health — from building strong bones in childhood and adolescence to protecting and strengthening them throughout adulthood to help prevent fractures later in life. The 2026 global campaign highlights a simple yet powerful message: no matter your age, there are actions you can take today to help prevent osteoporosis and fragility fractures later.

“Strong bones are the foundation for mobility, independence, and quality of life at every age,” said Professor Nicholas Harvey, IOF President. “Osteoporosis is a significant and growing health burden, affecting millions of people. Yet it often remains undiagnosed until a fracture occurs, with potentially life-changing consequences. The good news is that by understanding our individual risk, adopting healthy habits, and seeking appropriate medical advice, we can help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fragility fractures.”

Build strong bones early in life and keep them strong

Up to 90% of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and by age 20 in boys, making the early years, from before birth through childhood and adolescence, critical periods for lifelong skeletal health. However, it is never too late to adopt habits that support strong bones:

• Eating a balanced diet with sufficient calcium, vitamin D, and protein
• Taking part in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Building stronger bones today lays the groundwork for a healthier, more independent tomorrow.

Protect your bones, know your risk

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent” disease because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Its consequences, however, can be devastating. Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will experience a fragility fracture due to osteoporosis.

Knowing your personal risk factors is an important first step. Risk factors include a family history of osteoporosis, previous fractures, and certain medical conditions and medicines that can affect bone health. Take the IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check to learn more about your risk and find out whether you need to discuss your bone health with a healthcare professional. Depending on age and individual risk, a healthcare professional may also recommend a bone mineral density test. Alongside knowing your risk, regular muscle-strengthening and balance exercises, healthy lifestyle choices, and steps to reduce the risk of falls can all help protect your bones while preserving mobility and independence.

Strengthen and recover after a fracture

A fragility fracture after age 50, that is a broken bone resulting from a minor bump or fall from standing height or less, can be a warning sign of underlying osteoporosis. Having one fragility fracture also approximately doubles the risk of another fracture, with the risk highest in the one to two years that follow.

If you have had a fracture after age 50, talk to your doctor. Timely assessment and, if advised, prescription treatment can help reduce the risk of future fractures. Take any prescribed osteoporosis treatment as directed and raise any concerns with your doctor before stopping it. Strength and balance training, fall prevention, appropriate nutrition, and ongoing support also help people recover and reduce the risk of future fractures.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) — dedicated healthcare teams that coordinate assessment, treatment, and follow-up after a fracture — ensure patients get the care they need. Find an FLS on the Capture the Fracture® Map of Best Practice.

“Too many people who suffer a fragility fracture never receive the assessment and treatment that could prevent the next one," said Dr Philippe Halbout, IOF CEO. "With more than 1,360 Fracture Liaison Services now part of our Capture the Fracture® network, we know that this gap can be closed. We urge health systems everywhere to make post-fracture care the norm, not the exception.”

Take action this World Osteoporosis Day

Bone health is a lifelong priority. Whether you are a young person building peak bone mass, an adult protecting your bones, or someone who has already experienced a fracture, there are meaningful steps you can take.

This World Osteoporosis Day:

1. Check your risk. Take the IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check.

2. Talk to your doctor. If you have risk factors for osteoporosis — especially a fracture after age 50 — ask whether you should be assessed for osteoporosis and future fracture risk.

3. Make bone-healthy choices every day. Eat well, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, and take steps to prevent falls.

Build, protect, strengthen your bones for life.

#BuildProtectStrengthenYourBones

###

About World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day is marked annually on 20 October and aims to raise awareness of osteoporosis and musculoskeletal health; promote prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; and help reduce the burden of fragility fractures worldwide. The campaign seeks to make osteoporosis a global health priority by engaging stakeholders from all sectors to work together towards better bone health.

View events and download multilingual resources at
www.worldosteoporosisday.org 

About IOF

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Its members include committees of leading scientific researchers; 350 patient, medical, and research organizations across 152 countries; and universities worldwide. The IOF Capture the Fracture® initiative counts more than 1,360 Fracture Liaison Services across all regions of the world. Together, this network works to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.

www.osteoporosis.foundation @iofbonehealth

Find your national osteoporosis society: https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients

Take the IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check — available in 36 languages: https://riskcheck.osteoporosis.foundation/en

Get exercise, nutrition, and home safety tips for living with osteoporosis: https://www.buildbetterbones.org/en

Donate today so everyone can age with strength and dignity: https://www.giveforyourbones.org/