The World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2026) officially concluded today at the Prague Congress Centre in the Czech Republic. The four-day event, co-organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), served as the primary global forum for clinical research and public health strategy regarding bone, joint, and muscle health. More than 4,800 clinicians, researchers, and policy experts from 102 countries attended the sessions, which focused on the escalating socioeconomic impact of musculoskeletal conditions in an aging global population.
IOF President Professor Cyrus Cooper and ESCEO President Professor Jean-Yves Reginster led the closing plenary, emphasizing the necessity of integrated care models to mitigate the so-called fracture gap. A central development of the congress was the formal ratification of the 2026 Global Guidance for the Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis. These updated guidelines, peer-reviewed by a panel of 40 international experts, incorporate new diagnostic thresholds for sarcopenia and provide revised pharmacological recommendations for patients categorized as very high risk for imminent fractures. The congress also saw the release of a joint progress report with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), noting that musculoskeletal conditions remain the leading contributor to disability worldwide, affecting approximately 1.71 billion people and costing global healthcare systems an estimated $600 billion annually.
The selection of Prague as the host city underscores the strategic importance of Central and Eastern Europe in addressing the demographic shift toward older populations. European Union health representatives at the congress noted that musculoskeletal diseases account for over 25% of all years lived with disability in the region, placing significant strain on national insurance schemes. Discussions also addressed the disparity in healthcare access between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries. The IOF’s Capture the Fracture program reported a 20% increase in participating clinics across Southeast Asia and Latin America since 2024, aiming to reduce secondary fracture rates through standardized post-fracture care coordination.
Scientific sessions highlighted advancements in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and the role of artificial intelligence in automating the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). The ESCEO-IOF Herbert A. Fleisch Award was presented to recognize breakthrough research in bone cell biology. Furthermore, the congress facilitated bilateral meetings between national health ministries to harmonize regulatory frameworks for osteoporosis treatments. As the event closed, organizers announced that the 2027 congress will be held in Rome, Italy, continuing the focus on building sustainable healthcare systems capable of managing chronic age-related conditions.