On 5 November 2025, Osteoporosis New Zealand (ONZ) launched its landmark national strategy, Stronger Together: A Collaborative Strategy for Bone Health in New Zealand, at Parliament in Wellington. Endorsed by IOF President Prof Nick Harvey and FFN President Prof Takeshi Sawaguchi, the initiative presents a comprehensive life-course approach to bone health. The strategy sets seven national objectives – from improving hip fracture care and expanding secondary prevention through Fracture Liaison Services to promoting bone health in midlife and early life stages. It emphasises that healthy bones start early and require attention throughout life.
Developed through a decade of collaboration between clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, Stronger Together exemplifies the APCO ethos of partnership and evidence-based action. The strategy’s open-access model (Creative Commons Attribution licence) encourages adaptation by other Asia Pacific nations seeking to strengthen their bone health frameworks. This initiative underscores how collaboration, data, and shared learning can accelerate regional progress toward the common goal of reducing fragility fractures and improving quality of life for ageing populations.
“The launch of Stronger Together marks a milestone not only for New Zealand but potentially for our entire region,” said Prof Manju Chandran, Chairperson of APCO. “It shows how the vision we have pursued together – integrated, evidence-based, and patient-centred bone health care – can be realised at national level. Importantly, it invites others across Asia Pacific to adapt, refine, and build upon this model within their own health systems.”
