Over 15 million people worldwide live with a Spinal Cord Injury. This year, ISCoS continues its commitment to advancing spinal cord injury care for all.

#SCIAwarenessDay #StrongerTogether #SCI2026 #spinalcordinjuryawareness #spinalcordinjury

The theme for SCI Day 2026 — “From Awareness to Action: Ten Years Advancing SCI Prevention” — highlights both our achievements and the work ahead. Over the past ten years, awareness has grown: spinal cord injuries are increasingly recognized not only as life-changing events, but also, in many cases, as preventable. However, awareness alone is not enough.

The causes of spinal cord injury continue to change across regions. Falls among older adults are rising in many parts of the world, while road traffic injuries, violence, and workplace hazards remain major contributors elsewhere. This reminds us that prevention must be tailored to local contexts, supported across sectors, and sustained over time.

Moving from knowledge to action requires integrating prevention into health systems, strengthening trauma and emergency care, and building collaboration across sectors such as health, transport, and labour. It also means ensuring that people living with spinal cord injury are actively involved in shaping prevention efforts.
We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Now is the time to act.

The ISCoS Prevention Committee remains committed to advancing SCI prevention as a global priority — supporting evidence-based practice, fostering international collaboration, and advocating for strategies that reduce both the incidence and impact of spinal cord injury worldwide.
We invite clinicians, researchers, policymakers, organizations, and communities to work together in this shared responsibility.
The next decade must be defined not only by greater awareness, but by meaningful and measurable change.

From awareness to action. From action to prevention. From prevention to lasting change.

Sincerely,
Prof Belgin Erhan, MD
Chair, ISCoS Prevention Committee

Host Anders Tennby (@Wellspect) is joined by experts Hanna Gabrielsson and Pierre Mertens for an insightful discussion on healthcare gaps, personal experiences, and innovative solutions like continence management systems.

Tune in to learn more about the transition from paediatric to adult care, the importance of focusing on abilities, and how we can all support a more inclusive society.

Let’s raise awareness and take action! Listen across all podcast platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1947345/episodes/15967893