Public Policy Positions

     IMMEDIATE PRIORITY FOR ACTION

Arthritis is a major chronic disease and should be included in all federal and provincial chronic disease prevention and management strategies

ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

Every Canadian with arthritis should have timely access to necessary primary care professionals who have adequate knowledge about arthritis

Every Canadian with arthritis should have timely access to necessary specialists and prescribed interventions

Every Canadian with arthritis should have timely and equitable access to prescribed medications

Today, nearly 4.5 million Canadians have arthritis.  The number of people living with arthritis has grown by 50% in the last 10 years and it is estimated that between 21 to 26% of Canadians will be living with arthritis in 2021.  Arthritis can strike at any age – from infancy to old age and is the most prevalent chronic condition among the Aboriginal population. 

World wide, arthritis ranks among the top 10 causes of disability.  Arthritis is costly to the individual, the health care system and to society.  In 1998 arthritis cost Canadians $4.4 billion in direct and indirect costs with long-term disability accounting for almost 80% of the economic costs of arthritis; the 35-64 year age group incurred 70% of these costs.  Compared to people with other chronic diseases, people with arthritis experience more pain, disability, and more frequent contact with health care professionals.  Arthritis is the cause of over 80% of hip and 90% of knee replacement surgeries. 

Research has demonstrated that much can be done to treat, prevent, and slow down the progress of arthritis; and yet there is so much more to be discovered.  We know that awareness facilitates prevention, early diagnosis and timely management of arthritis.  A joint replacement may not always be the most appropriate intervention for a person with osteoarthritis; such a person should not be on a surgical wait list, but be provided with appropriate alternative services and supports.  

The Arthritis Society has a proud 60 year history of searching for the underlying causes and subsequent cures for arthritis, and promoting the best possible care and treatment for Canadians living with arthritis.  The Society is Canada's only charity devoted solely to funding and promoting arthritis research, programs and patient care.

This page was last reviewed/updated on : 12/20/2007