New Congress To Hear From Advocates For Legislation Affecting 46 Million Americans With Arthritis

A record number of
Arthritis Foundation advocates will converge on Capitol Hill February 27
and 28, and urge the U.S. Congress to support the Arthritis Prevention,
Control and Cure Act (S. 626) introduced last week. It is the first
comprehensive federal response to the burden of arthritis in more than 30
years. Advocates also will encourage Congress to invest now in biomedical
research and public health strategies, and increase efforts to confront a
disease that affects 46 million Americans, including 300,000 children.



The legislation comes at a critical time, with the staggering
prevalence of arthritis continuing to rise due to the aging baby boomer
population. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by the disease,
arthritis also exacts a hefty financial toll. In 2003 (the most recent
statistics available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),
arthritis costs to the U.S. economy reached an unfathomable $128 billion.



"We must work together to raise awareness of the seriousness of this
devastating disease, while at the same time encouraging our leaders to
commit more to arthritis research," said John H. Klippel, M.D., president
and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. "The Arthritis Prevention, Control and
Cure Act offers new hope to the millions of Americans and families living
with arthritis as we work to learn more about its causes, develop
innovative treatment options and eventually find a cure."




Currently, National Institutes of Health funding amounts to less than
$8 per person with arthritis. Funding for arthritis research has steadily
declined since 2003, despite the year-over-year increases in people
diagnosed with arthritis. At the same time, federal appropriations for the
public health efforts to help prevent arthritis and further disability have
leveled off.



The Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act expands the federal
government's efforts to prevent, treat and find a cure for arthritis. The
legislation focuses on three primary areas:


-- Investing in a nationwide public health initiative designed to reduce
the pain and disability of arthritis through early diagnosis and
effective treatment of the disease.


-- Ensuring the 300,000 children with arthritis in the U.S. have access
to care by addressing the nationwide shortage of pediatric
rheumatologists (many states do not have a single pediatric
rheumatologist to provide care to children in need).


-- Improving coordination among federal agencies and the public with
regard to the federal investment in arthritis research and public
health activities through the formation of an Arthritis Interagency
Coordinating Committee.



The Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act (S. 626) was introduced
by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D, MA), the chairman of the Senate Health,
Education, and Labor Committee and Sen. Kit Bond (R, MO). Those unable to
speak directly to their representatives at this year's landmark Advocacy
Summit are encouraged to write their representatives. A list of
congressional representatives by zip code is available at
arthritis/.



About The Arthritis Foundation



The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing
the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's
number- one cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in
Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has 46 chapters and 150 community service
points located throughout the country.



The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit
contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380
million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals
take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing
public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to
improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.


Arthritis Foundation

arthritis/