Royal Osteoporosis Society

In 2006, the charity launched a programme to provide mobile DXA scanning trucks, thanks to a donation from The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons. This developed into the Osteoporosis Scanning Services Development Project (OSSDP), providing funding for 14 separate projects in England and Wales. Separate manifestos for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were launched in 2009, setting out steps to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of osteoporosis. In 2010, 375,000 free information leaflets were sent out in response to enquiries from members and health professionals. At an event, the charity announced the launch of the Osteoporosis and Bone Research Academy. The Osteoporosis and Bone Research Academy is the first dedicated academy for osteoporosis. It is a collaborative venture with patients at its heart, which brings together leading researchers, clinicians and academics in the field to advance scientific knowledge and work towards a cure for the condition.[12]

In 2014, the charity's drive to create more Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across the UK, in partnership with local NHS A&E and orthopaedic departments, was set up to identify patients who have had a fracture and might be at risk of osteoporosis, then appropriately treating and referring patients. Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) systematically identify, treat, monitor and refer to appropriate services all patients aged over 50 years within a local population who have suffered a fragility fracture, with the aim of reducing their risk of subsequent fractures. The charity is working to establish UK-wide coverage of FLS, and aims to ensure that every person aged over 50 who breaks a bone is assessed for osteoporosis and managed appropriately through an FLS.[13]

In 2016, the charity's income totalled more than £4.8 million.[14] The same year, the Duchess of Cornwall wrote to British astronaut Tim Peake, thanking him for his help in osteoporosis research during his time in space. The work undertaken was designed to help researchers develop interventions to prevent bone loss and to help future space travellers as well as people living with osteoporosis on Earth.[15]

In 2019, it marked two significant moments for the charity – it is the 25th anniversary since the Royal Osteoporosis Society, the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (now IOF) and the World Health Organization announced the landmark decision on how to clinically define osteoporosis across the world. It also marked 25 years since Royal Osteoporosis Society president, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, started her longstanding association with the charity.

In 1998, the charity worked with students from the London College of Fashion to host a fashion show highlighting the problems of finding great looking clothes to fit people with osteoporosis. The following year, Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE became an ambassador of the charity helping to raise awareness of the condition and actor Ross Kemp lent his support in launching the charity's Bone Friendly Logo, raising awareness of products beneficial to bone health. In 2000, the charity's national TV ad campaign titled ‘It could happen to you’ was seen by millions of people.

In 2006, the Duchess of Cornwall launched the Big Bone walk campaign, which she led approximately 90 children and osteoporosis sufferers for a 10-mile walk and climb around Loch Muick at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland to raise money for the charity. The campaign raised £200,000 and continues almost every year as one of the fundraisers for the charity.[16]

In 2008, Craig Revel Horwood and Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE fronted the charity's ‘Boogie for Your Bones’ awareness campaign about building strong bones through dance. The ‘Sunlight’ campaign was launched in 2013 advising people about the bone-building benefits of safe exposure to the sun. Over 5,000 healthcare professionals downloaded the influential Vitamin D and Bone Health clinical guidance/guidelines from the campaign.

In 2017, the charity's most recent awareness campaign was launched, A Message to My Younger Self. Designed to start the conversation about bone health between the generations, the campaign focuses on the two key themes of Nutrition and Exercise. People were also invited to share a message to their younger selves, about the importance of building strong and healthy bones during childhood and adolescence. Launched in April, the campaign prompted wide scale interest and debate in the national press.

In 1998, the first government strategy on osteoporosis launched following years of campaigning. In 2003, the charity's network of local Support Groups reached 130. The groups, run by dedicated volunteers, worked to build awareness and offer support in their local communities. The charity's 10th annual conference in 2004 attracted almost 900 scientists and clinicians. As a result of a 2004 inquiry report by an All Party Group of MPs and politicians with an interest in osteoporosis, the Government announced £20 million extra funding for DXA bone density scanners in England in 2005.

In 2007, the charity launched a further Research Appeal to fund research into osteoporosis. In the same year, 24,000 people signed the charity's petition to call on the Prime Minister to review government guidance that recommended one type of treatment that one-quarter of people were unable to take. The petition was delivered to Downing Street, generating wide-scale publicity and media coverage.

To enable them to continue to drive forward engagement with FLS, the charity have set a fundraising target of £4m over the next 5 years, which will help to ensure all patients receive the same care and treatment across the UK through increased provision of FLS.

The charity launched its new Research Strategy in October 2017.[18] The Research Strategy aspires to progress the Charity's four key aims to Care, Support, Prevent and Cure osteoporosis, and reinforces the charity's commitment to drive their research agenda through:

• Funding high-quality research
• Influencing and partnering with key bone health funders
• Supporting the next generation of osteoporosis research leaders
• Engaging the public with osteoporosis research

The Duchess of Cornwall Award was created by the charity in 2009. It recognises an individual for their outstanding contribution to the field of osteoporosis, in any of the following areas:

• Clinical achievement and advancements
• Research
• Management and Leadership (progressed the National Osteoporosis Society and the osteoporosis agenda either *nationally or internationally)
• Voluntary achievements
• Contribution to the overall aims of the National Osteoporosis Society

Recipients to date have included:

• Professor Cyrus Cooper: Inaugural Duchess of Cornwall Award (2009)
• Susan Hampshire CBE (2011)
• Professor David Marsh, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at University College London (2016)