The program

Among the top three chronic diseases in Canada, arthritis is actually a group of more than 100 diseases. One in six Canadian adults has arthritis - that’s nearly 4.5 million people - costing the economy billions of dollars per year. It's time Canadians got talking about arthritis.

In 2009 - 2010, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) and The Arthritis Society of Canada, created the first comprehensive national arthritis awareness program in Canada. With the program slogan "Arthritis is Cured! (if you want it)/Guerir l'arthrite! (la solution vous revient)," the NAAP positively promoted interest and conversation about arthritis with the public and healthcare professionals, providing greater insight into the severity of the disease and information on how to access the arthritis information and support network.

For NAAP Year Two, ACE is partnered with the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC), Canada's largest and leading clinical arthritis research centre. As the number one reason a person over the age of 65 visits their family physician, arthritis diagnosis and management is critical for Canadian healthcare professionals and the wellness of people living with it. Along with key national arthritis community partners across Canada, NAAP Year Two will continue to expand the conversation and raise arthritis awareness with patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.