Today, Professor Jean-Yves Reginster of Belgium, a founding member of the IOF Board and IOF General Secretary from 1998 to 2007, was awarded the prestigious Pierre Delmas Award.
The award was presented by Professor Cyrus Cooper, Chair of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors, at an award ceremony held on at the opening of the ECCEO9-IOF Meeting in Athens on March 18, 2009.
The award, formerly known as the IOF President's award, was renamed in memory of the late Pierre D. Delmas, IOF's renowned founding president who passed away in July 2008. At the presentation of the award, Professor Cooper stated, "This award is given to an individual who has made a significant and unstinting contribution to the advancement of the work of the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Jean-Yves Reginster has been instrumental in the creation and growth of IOF, placing his great expertise in the service of IOF and the osteoporosis community as a whole."
Jean-Yves Reginster is currently Professor of Epidemiology, Public Health and Health Economics at the University of Liège, Belgium. He is also President of the Department. of Public Health Sciences and Director of the Bone and Cartilage Research Unit at the University Hospital of Liège. As an active researcher, Professor Reginster has authored more than 500 publications, mainly dedicated to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, epidemiology of osteoporosis and arthritis, health economics, clinical management of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Among his other professional activities, Professor Reginster is General Secretary of the Belgium Bone Club, President of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) and President of the Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Sciences (GREES).
Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. The result: pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in many cases, death. Around the world, one out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one out of five men (1,2,3). Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available. Nevertheless many people with osteoporosis and at risk of fracture remain undiagnosed and do not receive treatment.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 191 member patient and medical societies in 91 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis. Visit www.iofbonehealth.org for further information.
1. Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have osteoporosis?
Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10
2. Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo. Osteoporos Int, 2000; 11:669-674
3. Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998; 13: No 12:1915
For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit: http://www.iofbonehealth.org