New survey results underscore prevalence of pain in people living with arthritis
TORONTO – September 2, 2014
Welcome to Arthritis Awareness Month.
In support of the over 4.6 million Canadians living with the disease, The Arthritis Society is kicking off September with a “Voices of Arthritis” video series featuring well-known Canadians from different walks of life telling their arthritis stories, including:
As Robertson says, “Research into new ways of dealing with arthritis, eventually finding a cure for arthritis, is critical to all of our futures.”
Impacting children, teenagers, young professionals, new parents, workers of all ages, retirees, and older Canadians, arthritis is one of the country’s most pervasive diseases. Its impact is similarly widespread, and a new Arthritis Society survey of 1,500 people with arthritis uncovered telling statistics:
63% rated the intensity of their ongoing pain as six or higher out of 10
41% said arthritis was “very” or “extremely” limiting to their quality of life
28% say pain disrupts normal activities every month
27% of respondents say that arthritis affects at least six different joints in their body
“Whoever we are, wherever we live, arthritis has changed the life of someone we know, someone we care about – whether we realize it or not,” says Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society. “Arthritis touches everyone, but we are stronger when united as a community.”
The Arthritis Society is also proud to support the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, whose advocacy work has resulted in a brand new Arthritis Patient Charter that will help give a solid voice for the millions who live with the disease.
This September, The Arthritis Society will be shining a light on issues facing Canadians with arthritis, important research underway, and what The Society is doing to help.
Please stay tuned for further announcements.
ABOUT THE ARTHRITIS SOCIETY
The Arthritis Society has been setting lives in motion for over 65 years. Dedicated to a vision of living well while creating a future without arthritis, The Society is Canada’s principal health charity providing education, programs and support to the over 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis. Since its founding in 1948, The Society has been the largest non‐government funder of arthritis research in Canada, investing more than $185 million in projects that have led to breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with arthritis. The Arthritis Society is accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. For more information and to make a donation, visit www.arthritis.ca.