OSTEOLINK

OsteoLink is the first online and in-person social network dedicated to osteoporosis in Europe and Australia.

In Summer 2009, a multi-national survey commissioned by the University of Geneva, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and their partners, of over 1,600 people with osteoporosis and health professionals highlighted specific communications needs around treatment adherence challenges in osteoporosis, which persist despite widespread awareness-raising efforts.

Overall, the results indicated a need for easy-to-understand information for patients, helping them to have better conversations with their health providers.

OsteoLink was created to respond to this need and to support greater interaction in the osteoporosis community. It builds on the growth of the internet in patient advocacy.

Objectives

OsteoLink was successfully created and launched in 2010
Osteolink went live in Austria and Sweden in December 2010
A total of 1,900 unique users from 16 countries (02-04/2011)
OsteoLink provides a range of educational materials that is scientifically validated and credible.
To date, 108 unique media articles have featured OsteoLink and the survey data. These have reached audiences throughout Europe and Australia.
13 IOF member societies from 9 countries are actively engaged in the pilot programme.
In 2011, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Portugal, Spain, Greece and France will go live.

Expected results and impact

Create the first online and in-person osteoporosis community that operates at the global and country level, addressing the educational and support needs of osteoporosis patients in Europe and Australia
Provide tools for better communication for people with osteoporosis and health professionals to help improve adherence
Encourage better dialogue among people with osteoporosis, healthcare professionals, friends and families
Inform the osteoporosis community about OsteoLink and its role in improving communication

Partners

Partners involved in the OsteoLink project

Organization	Type	Country	Website
University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Bone Diseases	R&D	Switzerland	www.unige.ch
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)	SME	Switzerland	www.iofbonehealth.org
Amgen (Europe) GmbH	Large Industry	Switzerland	www.Amgen.com
Hill & Knowlton	SME	United Kingdom	www.Hill&Knowlton.co.uk
Action for Healthy Bones (AHB)	End User	Austria	www.aktiongesundeknochen.at
Syzygy	SME	United Kingdom	www.syzygy.net

Project name: OsteoLink (T-Break)
Website: http://www.osteolink.org/
Coordinator: International Osteoporosis Foundation – Switzerland
Duration: 20 Months
Starting Date: 01.04.2010
Total budget: € 1.536.668
Public contribution: € 411.254

Contact

Victoria Monti

E.: vmonti@iofbonehealth.org

T.: +41 22 994 01 22

Laurence Triouleyre

E.: ltriouleyre@iofbonehealth.org

T.: +41 22 994 01 22