Breakthroughs and public health tools that could improve lives for millions of Americans in the prime of their lives will happen only if there’s money to support them, the panelists stressed.
“Funding government programs is critical not only for the one in four Americans with arthritis, but also for the health of our economy,” said Mr. Ortman. Prior to the event, he emphasized that both the AF and the ACR will continue to pursue additional funding for these key programs to advance treatments and, hopefully, find a cure for arthritis. Congress’ support for research and public health efforts will create a future where “people with arthritis can more fully participate in their communities, while future generations may avoid this expensive condition altogether!”
Personal Stories
Erin Vago, who volunteers as an AF ambassador, shared her own story of living with juvenile arthritis with the audience to make the case for funding support. She was diagnosed with JIA about four years ago. “I’m scared that I won’t be able to provide for myself or pursue my passion—theater—because of arthritis. It’s really intimidating.” Funding medical research to improve treatments for patients like her and her sister, who also has a rheumatic disease, is crucial, she said.
Lesha Spencer-Brown, MPH, the NRPA’s Health and Wellness Program Manager, outlined her association’s health education programs that stress physical activity, such as the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk with Ease, to help patients manage their disease and prevent disability.
Invest in research and prevention now to help control health care costs in the future, panelists stressed. Even young military personnel now develop arthritis due to combat injuries, so support is urgent, said Mr. Ortman.
“Our soldiers come back from the battlefield with a disproportionately large burden of arthritis,” he said. “We can help them with dedicated research funding for arthritis at the DoD.”
“Living with arthritis is incredibly challenging, especially when you’re young,” said Ms. Vago before the event. “I’ve endured hardships, from giving up hobbies to being diagnosed with other conditions, including fibromyalgia. I want to help improve the lives of all people living with arthritis, which is why funding medical research is so important to me.”
Act Now, Reap Rewards Later
At the briefing, speakers presented facts to drive home the point that funding programs now will reap rewards down the road, not only in lives extended and improved, but in saving healthcare costs due to preventing disability and costly disease complications.
