Arthritis News

Economic impact of arthritis estimated to be $33 billion annually

Event to support the over 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis

 TORONTO, ON – June 5 2013 – Brantford’s Jane Grant-Henderson, a 55-year-old mom, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis nearly a decade ago, leading to hip and knee replacements. During that time, she was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis – a condition she watched her mother struggle with her whole life. Her treatment and support was so improved from what her mother received that Grant-Henderson is determined to help those that come after her – because she has seen the difference that progress can make.

Colin Johnson, who has lived with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) since he was 19 months old, and his younger brother Ian, unveiled a special backpack today at Crestview School from The Arthritis Society Manitoba/Nunavut Division.

32 Canadians nominated by The Arthritis Society have received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals in recognition of their contributions to the fight against arthritis in Canada.

9-year-old Aaliyah Hester and a group of other children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) received special backpacks today from Janet Yale, President and CEO of The Arthritis Society.

12 Canadians nominated by The Arthritis Society received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals this evening at the Annual Scientific Conference of the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) .

One in three respondents to the ‘Fit For Work Survey’ conducted for The Arthritis Society reported that they stopped working because of their arthritis.

Today, the Arthritis Alliance of Canada launched a bold new framework to ensure that the 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis will benefit from improved policies and practices. 

Leads to staggering socio-economic implications for all Canadians

September 5, 2012 (TORONTO, ONTARIO) -- According to a recent poll conducted by The Arthritis Society, more than a quarter of Canadians report that if they had joint pain, they would not view it as a health priority and close to half still believe that joint pain primarily affects older Canadians. These and other stigmas surrounding arthritis have far-reaching implications for all Canadians and may cost our economy up to $33 billion annually.

August 28, 2012 (TORONTO, ONTARIO) -- This September, The Arthritis Society is launching a month-long campaign dedicated to educating Canadians about this complex disease that affects 4.6 million Canadians. 

Thousands walked to help find a cure for one of Canada’s leading causes of disability. The 3rd annual Walk to Fight Arthritis presented by the makers of TYLENOL®, held on Sunday, June 10th in 21 communities across Canada, was hailed as a resounding success by all who attended.  In total, almost $1.6 million was raised, bringing the total raised over the course of 3 years of the Walk to almost $3.9 million.  In total, 8,000 participants took part in this year’s Walk. More...

Researchers in Alberta have just perfected a new bioreactor technology that allows them to make millions of pluripotent stem cells much more quickly than ever before.

This groundbreaking work was funded by The Arthritis Society, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

"We are very pleased to fund research that is taking great strides towards the future improved treatments for people living with arthritis," says Joanne Simons, interim president and CEO of The Arthritis Society. "Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to participate in the very exciting area of regenerative medicine research."

More

Health Canada has issued a Health Care Professional letter to Canadian orthopaedic surgeons informing them about potential health risks and recommending patient management strategies following metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant surgery.

MoM hip implants are artificial, implantable hip joints containing a metal ball and metal cup components. These medical devices are used in both total hip replacement (changing the entire hip joint to an artificial hip joint) and hip resurfacing (changing a part of the hip joint) surgeries. In recent years, there has been an increase in awareness of pain, adverse local tissue reactions and implant loosening in patients with MoM hip implants. If the adverse effects become serious, revision surgery may be required to remove the old system and replace it with another one.

Learn More

Health Canada is advising Canadians that Vita Health Products is conducting a voluntary recall of five lots of Compliments Extra Strength Acetaminophen Gelcaps 500mg (bottles of 120 gelcaps).

The products are being recalled because its packaging suggests the product is child resistant but the product has been packaged with a non child resistant cap. As such, there is no child safety mechanism, which presents a risk to children who are able to open the bottle and ingest the product. The risk of ingestion by children less than 12 years of age can result in acetaminophen overdose and serious health consequences including liver damage. Early signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting lethargy and sweating. Liver damage may result in liver failure or death.

Learn more

The Arthritis Society reached out to educate Canadians about the realities of living with juvenile arthritis (JA) during March (Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month).

UCB Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the UCBeyond 2012 Scholarship Program, of which The Arthritis Society is a proud partner.