Tag Archives: arthritis

Thanks for the Laughs and the Salute to Telethons, Mrs. Maisel!

Remember when telethons were a big thing? Americans would dial in and be greeted by celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore or Betty White. Before Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run, telethons were a major lifeline (pun intended) for our organization, so we could impact the course of the disease and support the millions of Americans living with it. Continue reading Thanks for the Laughs and the Salute to Telethons, Mrs. Maisel!

Dr. James Martin Arthritis Research

Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. James Martin

What if injured joints could heal themselves before they develop osteoarthritis (OA)? Dr. James Martin’s current 3-year Arthritis Foundation-funded project, “Engineering Endogenous Cartilage Repair,” is trying to do just that- find ways to help joints heal before developing OA.

Dr. Martin and his team use special goats that have defects in areas of the thigh bones and cartilage, just above the knee. This closely mimics knee injuries that are seen in humans. The defects are surgically repaired with a hydrogel matrix that contains two important ingredients: repair cell attractant and growth factor. The repair cell attractant causes repair cells, called chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs), to migrate into the hydrogel. CPCs naturally occur in the cartilage. The growth factor, which is time-released over 10 days, causes the CPCs in the hydrogel to multiply and repair the injury with new cartilage.
Continue reading Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. James Martin

CDC Arthritis Study

More Americans Report Arthritis-Related Limitations Than 15 Years Ago

More than 54 million adults in the United States have some form of arthritis and, for nearly half of them, the pain, stiffness and joint damage make daily life harder, according to a new report released in early March by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the report notes that the prevalence of arthritis has not changed significantly since 2002, it does highlight a 20 percent jump in the percentage of people who have arthritis-attributable limitations in activities – that is, trouble with simple tasks such as lifting a grocery bag or walking a few blocks.
Continue reading More Americans Report Arthritis-Related Limitations Than 15 Years Ago

World Arthritis Day 2015

October 12 is World Arthritis Day

Since 1996, October 12 is recognized as World Arthritis Day, a global initiative bringing people together to raise awareness of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).  Established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and managed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the aim of World Arthritis Day is not only to raise awareness, but also to influence public policy and inform those living with RMDs as well as their caregivers of the support network available to them.

There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions accounting for more than $156 billion in lost wages and medical expenses annually with nearly 1 million hospitalizations each year. Arthritis impacts more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. and 120 million people in the European Union, making it the leading cause of disability in the western world.

Arthritis has a Global Impact

  • According to EUMUSC.net, in a 2007 EU survey it was found that 22% of the population currently had, or had experienced, long-term muscle, bone and joint problems such as rheumatism and arthritis.
  • The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis varies between 0.3% and 1% and is more common in women as well as in developed countries.
  • Within 10 years of onset of rheumatoid arthritis, at least 50% of patients in developed countries are unable to hold down a full-time job.
  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and accounts for more disability among the elderly than any other disease.
  • Many factors increase the risk of developing rheumatic disease, including increasing age, smoking, excessive weight, predisposed genetic factors, occupations with high risk of injury and overuse of joints.

The Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. Our goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure.

This year’s World Arthritis Day theme – “It’s in your hands, take action” – helps increase awareness as we take over the social media world High 5ing for World Arthritis Day.  Take a stand! Join us in spreading the word with the hashtag #WADhigh5.

Together, we conquer arthritis!

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May Is National Arthritis Awareness Month

arthritis-awarenessMay is recognized each year as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis is a disease that impacts more than 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the country. That means 1 in every 5 adults, 300,000 children and countless families are affected by arthritis. These numbers are only going to keep growing—unless we take a stand

The Arthritis Foundation is leading the way to conquer arthritis and its effects through our advocacy efforts at the state level and on Capitol Hill, our cutting-edge scientific research, and our tools and resources that help you live your best life.

The first steps in conquering arthritis are learning the facts, understanding your condition and knowing that help is by your side. Below, you’ll find some telling statistics about the current impact of arthritis on the U.S. population, resources to help you learn more about arthritis, and additional information on how you can help and get involved.

Arthritis by the Numbers:

  • Nearly 53 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; that number is expected to grow to 67 million by 2030.
  • Almost 300,000 babies, kids and teens have arthritis or a rheumatic condition.
  • Arthritis is the nation’s No. 1 cause of disability.
  • Working-age men and women (ages 18 to 64) with arthritis are less likely to be employed than those of the same age without arthritis.
  • 1/3 of working-age people with arthritis have limitations in their ability to work, the type of work they can do or whether they can work part time or full time.
  • People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
  • Arthritis and related conditions account for more than $156 billion annually in lost wages and medical expenses.
  • There are nearly 1 million hospitalizations each year due to arthritis.
  • 57% of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
  • 52% of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
  • 44% of adults with high blood pressure have arthritis.
  • 36% of adults who are obese have arthritis.
  • 1/3 of adults with arthritis age 45 and older have either anxiety or depression.

Continue reading May Is National Arthritis Awareness Month


Champion of Yes – It’s a Brand New Day at the Arthritis Foundation!

Ann Palmer, Arthritis Foundation President & CEOAs you’re reading this blog, or if you’ve visited the Arthritis Foundation website today, you may have noticed we look a bit different. Today we’re entering a new chapter in our organization’s evolution – as we publicly unveil the Foundation’s Champion of Yes brand.

While we are celebrating the unprecedented opportunities this transformation brings, we also recognize that there is much work to be done.

With the support and leadership of our staff, volunteers and community, our new brand is going to help the Arthritis Foundation – and the mission we’re committed to – stand out more than ever before. But it is our hard work and unwavering commitment that will continue to make an impact on the lives of the more than 50 million Americans who have arthritis.

Our new look and feel will show the world that we’re united, consistent and in touch with the changing times. However, it’s our tools and resources; advocacy efforts and cutting-edge scientific discovery that will help us change lives and find a cure.  Our new way of talking about who we are and what we stand for will underscore our attributes: that we’re bold, brave, expert, ever present and all-in, and our dedication to truly living those attributes will help us create moments of Yes in people’s lives and increase access to care for our community.

Over the past year, we’ve conducted a lot of research, heard many voices and ideas, evaluated our challenges and considered possible solutions.  I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped shape this tremendous transformation at the Arthritis Foundation – the many staff and volunteers who are dedicated to our organization’s mission. Our passion and pledge to a cause that is growing each day in importance is even stronger today. We are committed to saying Yes in the face of No, and to helping those who live with arthritis do the same. We won’t reach our destination overnight, and there’s still a lot more work to do, but I’m confident our efforts will help us conquer arthritis – and now I encourage every member of our community to make the most of this milestone and help move us forward.

For starters, we’d love for you to watch our short video below to learn more about what it means to be a Champion of Yes, and then to tell us how you, yourself, are a Champion of Yes! Tell us about the things you’ve had to say No to because of arthritis, and what you’ve done to overcome those challenges and turn them into moments of Yes. Tell us about your tips and tricks for living better with arthritis. Tell us about your accomplishments, what you’re proud of, and how YOU say Yes.

Thank you for supporting the Arthritis Foundation and our community – and for being a true Champion of Yes!

P.S. – Please be sure to explore the rebranded arthritis.org, where our powerful new look and feel really comes to life!

 – Ann Palmer, Arthritis Foundation President & CEO