Arthritis is a silent epidemic affecting more than six million people in Canada. It is the leading cause of disability and impacts people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities. It causes pain, fatigue, and loss of mobility, and it affects mental health, work, and quality of life. There is no cure.
Our community refuses to accept this as inevitable. Today, it is taking action.
Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE), together with 21 national organizations representing patients, researchers, clinicians, and advocates, has launched Arthritis Action Now: The Plan to End Arthritis in Canada. This community includes scientists working to discover new treatments, clinicians caring for people with a wide range of arthritis conditions, and advocates working to improve access to medications, surgery, rehabilitation, and equitable care across Canada.
Developed with input from tens of thousands of Canadians, the plan outlines practical solutions to improve early diagnosis, expand access to care and treatments, reduce wait times for surgery, and invest in research and innovation.
The plan is built on three pillars:
- Public Policy Priorities: Calling on governments to improve access to timely, appropriate, and inclusive arthritis care, reduce disability and costs, and strengthen Canada’s leadership in arthritis care and innovation.
- Research and Innovation Priorities: Bringing together Canada’s scientific community to accelerate discovery, increase investment, and move toward cures.
- Catalysts for Change: Advancing key initiatives, including precision medicine, arthritis prevention, health equity, and workplace supports, through collaboration across sectors.
This first-of-its-kind national plan sets out a clear path to improve access to care, reduce disability, advance research, and ultimately find cures.
It is built on a shared commitment: to do better for people living with arthritis today and for future generations.
Now is the time for action.