Osteoporosis Webinar hosted by Wessex Women and Girls Research and Innovation Network

Date: Monday 20 October 2025

Time: 15:00-16:00

Location: Online

We invite you to a special online event marking World Osteoporosis Day, where we will officially launch the Wessex Women and Girls Research and Innovation Network - a bold new initiative committed to advancing education and awareness in women’s health.

This webinar will shine a spotlight on the gendered impact of osteoporosis, a condition which disproportionately affects women.

1 in 2 women over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. The risk escalates after menopause due to the decline in oestrogen, which plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density. Early detection and proactive strategies are essential to reducing the burden of this silent disease, which often goes unnoticed until a fracture occurs.

The webinar will present local research, provide a global perspective from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, explore preventive measures - particularly around fractures, and highlight early intervention strategies that can make a real difference in women’s lives across Wessex and beyond.

We are joined by two distinguished speakers:

• Professor Nicholas Harvey – A leading authority in rheumatology and clinical epidemiology at the University of Southampton. His groundbreaking lifecourse research has shaped national guidelines and focuses on reducing fracture risk through early-life interventions.  He is also the President of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and a Trustee of the Royal Osteoperosis Society. 
• Craig Jones – Chief Executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society. With a wealth of experience in health and regulatory leadership, Craig brings a powerful voice to advocacy, policy reform, and public engagement around bone health.

Together, they will explore the challenges and opportunities in addressing osteoporosis in women and share how this new network can catalyse meaningful change across the region. We will also hear from a patient representative.