President's Message

Activities of the Japan Osteoporosis Society

The Japan Osteoporosis Society celebrated its 25th anniversary last year—a significant milestone made possible thanks to the warm support and cooperation of all our members and stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.

Our society continues to grow as an interdisciplinary organization that brings together participants from a wide range of professions, including clinicians, basic researchers, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, dietitians, public health nurses, and representatives from pharmaceutical companies. As of today, the Japan Osteoporosis Society has more than 12,000 members.

Osteoporosis is a complex condition influenced not only by age-related bone loss but also by other factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and comorbidities. Preventing and treating fragility fractures requires collaboration across multiple professions and the establishment of community-based healthcare systems to provide optimal prevention, treatment, and continuous follow-up for each patient.

Since 2011, our society has promoted the Osteoporosis Liaison Service (OLS®) initiative. Today, more than 5,000 medical professionals are certified as “Osteoporosis Managers.” These managers play a central role in community healthcare, engaging in a wide range of activities including everything from awareness and prevention to primary fracture prevention and secondary fracture prevention through Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).

Currently, it is believed that over 16 million people in Japan suffer from osteoporosis, which is approximately one in seven citizens. Its prevention and treatment are extremely important social issues directly linked to extending healthy life expectancy and restoring soundness to the healthcare economy. With the widespread use of bone density measurement devices and diagnostic criteria, the importance of early detection and treatment is now widely recognized. Furthermore, this year marks the first time in a decade that the “Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis” got revised, and advances in therapeutic drugs have made fracture prevention increasingly achievable.

Going forward, our society will promote the following key activities:

  1. 1.Promoting osteoporosis screening and early diagnosis
  2. 2.Enhancing secondary fracture prevention
  3. 3.Encouraging prevention through exercise and nutritional improvement
  4. 4.Improving diagnostic technologies for osteoporosis
  5. 5.Developing and disseminating treatment methods

By leveraging the extensive knowledge and experience of our members, we aim to further advance fracture prevention and osteoporosis care. We are committed to utilizing the latest research findings to promote activities that contribute to the health and well-being of the public.

We kindly ask for your continued support and understanding.

Hiroshi Hagino