Program activities

In the fall of 2009, the Arthritis is cured! (if you want it) National Arthritis Awareness Program (NAAP) was launched 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. 45 dedicated volunteer street teams were active in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax distributing thousands of informational brochures, helping to challenge common myths and change Canadians' perceptions of the effect arthritis has on our communities, our families, and our lives.

In 2010 we also developed a practical tool to assist primary care professionals with the diagnosis and management of arthritis, and in discussing arthritis with their patients. For NAAP Year Two, ACE is partnered with the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC), Canada's largest and leading clinical arthritis research centre, ARC will bring critical resources and attributes to the NAAP Year Two.

Providing healthcare professionals with access to the right information and best practice strategies for effective arthritis care through resources like our arthritis point-of-practice tool means better health outcomes and less cost to our medical system. Based on our successful launch the arthritis point-of-practice tool we are developing more tools to assist patients, friends, families and healthcare professionals with the detection, diagnosis and management of arthritis. Visit our Resources section to learn about the tools we have developed.