In my last contribution to this Faculty series, I described the work of our various programmes at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit. Today, I thought I would give you an insight into the global outreach of our research, by describing the background and content of the World Congress that I have just returned from in Florence, Italy.
The World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease – 2017
Professor Cyrus Cooper OBE, DL, FMedSci
This was a conference attended by 4,082 delegates, with 1,436 submitted abstracts (the highest number and quality we have ever had) and a total of over a hundred awards (from the most prestigious senior investigator to the youngest doctoral students).
Find out more about the Congress here.
The Congress is organised by two bodies: the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) of which I have just commenced a term as President; and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis,, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease (ESCEO), of which I am Vice-President. I have co-chaired the scientific committee of this World Congress for the last four years, and it is now the largest forum for clinical research exchange on these disorders worldwide.
Planning of the meeting goes back around a year, when a local Scientific Organising Committee is elected, to complement our own Scientific Programme Committee (among which several other Southampton and Oxford research leaders – Elaine Dennison, Nicholas Harvey and Kassim Javaid- are represented). The committee selected the 8 plenary lecturers; clinicall focussed Meet-the-Expert sessions; as well as a large number of special sessions such as the Educational Lecture and selected symposia addressing topics with key stakeholders including the World Health Organisation, European Medicines Agency and other US and European scientific societies.
Southampton highlights of the meeting included the oral presentation of abstracts by several young investigators including Leo Westbury, Rebecca Moon, Beth Curtis, Kirsten Leyland, Nicholas Fuggle, Millie Parsons, Kate Ward and Anna Litwic. All were recognised through a variety of Young Investigator Awards, and were able to make contact with a host of fellow young researchers from the US, Europe and Australia.
At last year’s meeting, the Pierre Meunier Award for an established career research contribution was granted to Elaine Dennison, while this year it was presented to Kassim Javaid, a team leader in our Oxford musculoskeletal epidemiology programme.
We have already started to prepare for the next Congress, and throughout the year, the Foundation (based in Geneva) will continue its excellent work through its three committees (Scientific Advisers [98 countries]; National Societies [186 countries; 85% of global osteoporosis patient burden] and Corporate Advisers [key partnership in effecting translation and policy harmonisation with global bodies such as WHO].
Our contribution to the work of the Foundation has brought international recognition to the Southampton and Oxford teams, as well as providing contact with a global family dedicated to reducing the burden of physical disability consequent upon musculoskeletal ageing.
Find out more about Professor Cyrus Cooper here.
Find our more about the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit here.