SPINE20 · Global Advocacy

SPINE20 Initiative

Overview

Advocating for Global Spine Health

Disorders of the spine with its multiple pathologies and trauma are the number one cause of disability that put enormous burden on the economy, back ailments can lead to extreme pain, inability to function, and subsequently job loss.

Advocacy, education, and government policies are urgently needed in order to provide a value-based spine care where standardized practice based on best available evidence while controlling the health care cost.

SPINE20 is an advocacy group founded in 2019 by the Saudi Spine Society (SSS), EUROSPINE, the North American Spine Society (NASS) and the German Spine Society (DWG) in an effort to improve spine care on a global level through recommending policies in the G20 countries and beyond that help them alleviate the burden of spine disease through various means including stimulating better spine health, advance spine research, enhancing spine innovation pathways and improving spine care and treatments through polices and support from governments.

Functioning as a global think tank, SPINE20 brings together experts to support governments with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance spine care systems. This includes organizing year-round activities, forming focused task forces, and developing evidence-based policy recommendations for presentation at G20 platforms.

The ultimate goal of SPINE20 is to optimize spine care globally, improving outcomes for patients and communities by influencing health agendas at the highest levels.

How can SPINE20 help governments alleviate the burden of spine disease and disability?

Serve as a resource

For governments and larger institutions (national or international) in spine-related healthcare and prevention.

Advocate

For the prevention of spinal disorders e.g. exercise and education.

Stimulate innovation

To promote spine health.

Advance spine research

Through advocacy for funding to improve our ability to care for patients.

Facilitate access to spine care treatment and rehabilitation

To Improve function and prevent disability among people with spine disorders.

What sets SPINE20 apart from other medical societies?

Opening doors for international advocacy

Few other medical society groups have been so proactively engaged in fostering this kind of international advocacy.

Improving spine health care on a global scale

SPINE20’s advocacy could result in some significant benefit for our members in various countries and the spine patients we serve.

SPINE20 Annual Summits

The SPINE20 Scientific Program is structured around multiple focused symposia, complemented by dedicated Call-for-Action and educational sessions. Over the two-day meeting, participants will engage in a comprehensive scientific agenda addressing critical and emerging issues in global spine care. The program also features several keynote lectures delivered by internationally recognized experts from diverse professional backgrounds.

SPINE20 symposia are organized around priority domains identified as essential for addressing the global burden of spinal disorders. These domains are selected through a Delphi consensus process involving multidisciplinary spine experts from around the world. Each symposium includes evidence-based presentations followed by panel discussions. The final session of the meeting is dedicated to reviewing and refining the policy recommendations developed during the Summit. In addition, SPINE20 hosts an annual educational session focused on contemporary challenges in spine education and the identification of necessary strategic actions.