Program activities

In the Fall 2009, Arthritis Consumer Experts and The Arthritis Society launched the “Arthritis is cured! (if you want it)” National Arthritis Awareness Program (NAAP) across Canada to inform the public about arthritis and provide Canadians with greater insight into the severity of this disease and information on how to access the vast arthritis support network available to them.

The program was a tremendous opportunity for the arthritis community to make the public aware of the importance of accessing timely diagnosis, education, and appropriate care for arthritis. Forty-five ambassador street teams, made up of 130 volunteers branded in Arthritis is cured! (if you want it) uniforms (hoodies and toques), delivered more than 100,000 brochures to Canadians in six major cities: Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

Informing the public is however, only one side of the equation. As the number one reason a person over the age of 65 visits their family physician, arthritis diagnosis and management begins with Canadian healthcare professionals.

Early detection and diagnosis of arthritis is critical to reduce pain and prevent irreversible damage to the joints. The National Arthritis Awareness Program (NAAP) is now focusing on providing a practical tool to assist primary care professionals with the diagnosis and management of arthritis, and in discussing arthritis with their patients.