The International Osteoporosis Foundation Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies (IOF WWC) is a unique opportunity for osteoporosis patient societies from around the world to plan strategies and learn from each other. The skills learned at the conferences help the societies in their efforts to improve public awareness on bone, muscle and joint health, and lobby for more effective diagnosis, treatment and patient care in their countries.

Delegates attend three days of intensive workshops and informative presentations on a wide variety of topics, including lobbying, education, public relations and fundraising. Organized by the IOF together with the national osteoporosis patient society which hosts the conference, the IOF WWC is open to all members of IOF's Committee of National Societies.

The IOF WWC helps to catalyze the tremendous growth of the bone, muscle and joint health movement. This growth is reflected in the increasing attendance at the WWCs. 

In 2019, the WWC transitioned into 'PATIENT NATIONAL SOCIETIES DAY' a full day of sessions devoted to topics of interest to IOF member societies, with a focus on patient engagement. 

16th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Florence, Italy

With record attendance, the 2017 IOF-WWC was a great success. It was held from March 23-24, 2017, in conjunction with the WCO-IOF-ESCEO Congress at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. The two-day event, featured an exciting programme of lectures, workshops and interactive activities. Find out more and download an overview of this most recent IOF-WWC. 

15th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Athens, Greece

IOF together with the Butterfly Bone Health Society (Greece) welcomed IOF member societies to Athens for the 15th IOF WWC. The Conference took place at the President Hotel Athens from September 11-13, 2015.

14th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Helsinki, Finland

The 2013 conference held in cooperation with the Finnish Osteoporosis Association, hosted 140 participants from 45 countries, representing 53 member societies. A highlight was the Women Leaders' Roundtable media event which was held with the opening of the conference.

> Read the 14th IOF WWC meeting report (PDF, 2.3 MB)

13th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Valencia, Spain

More than 130 representatives representing over 60 member societies from 47 countries attended this Conference, which was held in association with AECOS (Asociación Española Contra la Osteoporosis) and FHOEMO (Fundacion Hispana de Osteoporosi y Enfermedades Metabolicas Oseas). View photo gallery

> Read 13th IOF WWC meeting report (PDF, 5 MB)

12th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Beijing, China

The 12^th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies was held in Beijing, China from September 22-25, 2009. Organized in cooperation with the China Health Promotion Foundation, the Meeting brought together 125 participants from 48 countries.

> Read 12th IOF WWC meeting report (PDF, 465.5 KB)

11th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Miami, USA

This meeting was held in cooperation with the National Osteoporosis Foundation from December 11-14, 2007. There were more than 200 participants from 60 countries.

10th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies Bangkok, Thailand

Held in cooperation with the Thai Osteoporosis Foundation from September 27-30, 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand the Meeting attracted some 200 patient society representatives from more than 50 countries. The conference was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, patron of the Thai Osteoporosis Foundation.

Read 10th IOF WWC meeting report (PDF, 514.2 KB)

Read report of the Beauties and the Bones event and media seminar (PDF, 737 KB) held in conjunction with the IOF-WWC in Bangkok

9th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Istanbul, Turkey

Organized in cooperation with the Osteoporosis Patient Society of Turkey (Osteoporz Hasta Dernegi) the 9^th IOF WWC took place from September 4-7, 2003. There were 150 delegates from 45 countries. .

Read 9th IOF WWC meeting report  (PDF, 162.9 KB)

8th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Lisbon, Portugal

Organized in cooperation with Associaçao Nacional contra a Osteoporose, this meeting took place from May 7-8, 2002 with 150 participants.

Read 8th IOF WWC meeting report (PDF, 69.3 KB)

7th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Naples, Italy

Organized in cooperation with Lega Italiana Osteoporosi, the Conference was held from May 26-28, 2001. There were some 150 participants from 35 countries.

6th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Chicago, USA

Held between June 11-12, 2000, this Conference was held in cooperation with the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

5th IOF Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies

Organized in cooperation with Osteoporosis Canada on October 5-6, 1999, the Conference was held in Toronto with the participation of 100 people from 42 countries.

Conferences organized prior to the launch of IOF:

4th Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Berlin, Germany

Organized in conjunction with the first World Congress on Osteoporosis in September, 1998, the Conference attracted more than 150 participants from 40 countries.

3rd Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Oslo, Norway

Held in 1997 in Oslo Norway, the Conference was hosted by the Norwegian Osteoporosis Society with 100 attendees.

2nd Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Noordwijk, Netherland

Hosted by the Dutch Osteoporosis Foundation in1996 in Noordwijk, Netherlands, the Conference was held with 86 participants, primarily from Europe.

1st Worldwide Conference of Osteoporosis Patient Societies, Bath, England

The first WWC was organized by the UK National Osteoporosis Society in 1995 in Bath, England. There were 35 attendees, primarily from Europe.