Developing solutions
for osteoporosis management
& fracture prevention
The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) comprises Osteoporosis experts from several countries in Asia Pacific, charged with developing tangible solutions to the substantive challenges involving osteoporosis management and fracture prevention in this most populated and fastest growing region of the world.
Representing multiple medical and surgical specialties, the Consortium has developed a pan-Asia Pacific “Framework” for the introduction and implementation of minimum clinical standards for the screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis targeting a broad range of high-risk groups.
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Osteoporosis experts from 24 countries and regionsAbout APCO
Representing Osteoporosis experts from 23 countries and regions
APCO (Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis) is charged with developing tangible solutions to the substantive challenges involving osteoporosis management and fracture prevention.
About Osteoporosis
A common disease characterised by porous brittle bones, low bone density and quality, and structural deterioration
Osteoporosis is defined as having a bone mineral density (BMD) 2.5 standard deviations below the average value of a young healthy person, leading to enhanced bone fragility, and increased fracture risk. More than 200 million people worldwide live with osteoporosis.
Guidelines
Current gaps and unmet needs relating to osteoporosis clinical guidelines in the Asia Pacific region
Although clinical guidelines for managing osteoporosis are available in many countries throughout Asia Pacific, their lack of implementation-related guidance poses the biggest challenge for the optimal diagnosis and management of the disease.
Evidence to date demonstrates significant disparity in these guidelines throughout the region.
As its first major initiative, APCO members representing key osteoporosis stakeholders and multiple medical and surgical specialties throughout the region, developed a set of clear, concise, relevant and pragmatic clinical standards to support national societies, guidelines development authorities, and health care policy makers with the development of new guidelines, and to encourage the revision of existing guidelines in Asia Pacific.
The APCO Framework
A pan-Asia Pacific “Framework” for the implementation of minimum clinical standards across the region
The APCO Framework proposes clear and concise standards of care involving the screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, targeting a broad range of high-risk groups. These standards provide a benchmark for the provision of quality care across Asia Pacific.
The APCO HCP Peer to Peer Education Modules
A world-first, interactive, educational osteoporosis resource for healthcare professionals
The APCO HCP Peer to Peer Education Modules offers physicians a comprehensive, evidence-based resource encouraging widescale implementation of the minimum clinical standards of care for osteoporosis advocated in The APCO Framework. It contains 17 modules – one module for each of the 16 APCO Framework Clinical Standards and one module on recently emerging themes in osteoporosis care.
To learn more about The APCO Framework, watch our video of APCO Executive Committee Chairperson, Dr Manju Chandran
Watch our 3D animation summarising the APCO Framework
APCO Bone Health QI Tool Kit
Addressing the major public health burden of osteoporosis throughout the Asia Pacific region through the promotion of quality improvement (QI) of osteoporosis care.
Clinical Case Discussion Platform (CCDP)
The APCO Clinical Case Discussion Platform (CCDP) aims to create a platform for doctors across the Asia Pacific to share clinical cases in metabolic bone disease that are challenging and for which they would like to seek management input.
BLOG
Making History in Rome: APCO Shines at WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2025
Celebrating Excellence: APCO Members Win Top Honors at the 2025 ISCD Conference in Boston
Advancing Bone Health: Training for Phase 2 of the APCO Bone Health QI Project
APCO and SAFES Join Forces for Groundbreaking Projects
APCO members celebrate World Osteoporosis Day 2024 by emphasizing on ‘Say No to Fragile Bones’
An Academic Fiesta like No Other – The APCO SOOMBODS 2024
Rare But Not Forgotten! Raising Awareness for Rare Bone Diseases on Rare Disease Day
