Arthritis Foundation Inc

THE AF IS PURSUING A CURE FOR AMERICA'S #1 CAUSE OF DISABILITY, WHILE CHAMPIONING THE FIGHT AGAINST ARTHRITIS WITH LIFE-CHANGING RESOURCES, SCIENCE, ADVOCACY, & COMMUNITY CONNECTS.

PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND A STRONG ADVOCACY PROGRAM. ADVOCACY IS ONE OF THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION. OUR MISSION IS TO BE THE VOICE OF PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS WITH POLICY MAKERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, REGULATORS, AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, AND EMPLOYERS. WE DO THIS BY ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY OF ADVOCATES IN LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY POLICY MAKING, HELPING THEM TO FIND THEIR VOICES THROUGH ADVOCACY TRAINING, MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND STATE OFFICIALS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO TIMELY, AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TREATMENTS AND MEDICATIONS. PART OF OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES THE ARTHRITIS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THROUGH ADVOCACY TRAINING AND RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT. A NEW FOCUS OF THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM IS ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT BY OUR ADVOCATES IN POLICYMAKING AT THE STATE LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION IS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT RESEARCH FUNDING FOR ARTHRITIS IS INCREASED AND THAT THERE IS RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT THIS DISEASE IMPACTS ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY: FOR 75 YEARS, THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION HAS INITIATED AND SUPPORTED SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AND SEEKING SOLUTIONS THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO SUFFER. OUR COMMITMENT TO FINDING A CURE IS UNWAVERING. THE SCIENTIFIC STRATEGY IS THE DIRECTION THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION SCIENCE DEPARTMENT IS GOING OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THE SCIENTIFIC STRATEGY HAS THREE PILLARS. THE GOAL FOR EACH PILLAR IS LISTED BELOW. PILLAR #1: DELIVERING ON DISCOVERY IMPROVED DECISION MAKING AND BETTER LIVES THROUGH IMPROVED PREVENTION, EARLIER DIAGNOSIS AND NEW TREATMENTS TO PREVENT, CONTROL AND CURE ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. PILLAR #2: DECISION MAKING WITH METRICS FACT-BASED METRICS FOR DECISION MAKING AND GUIDING ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN WITH ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES. PILLAR #3: BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PIPELINE IS STRENGTHENED AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY IS CATALYZED AND ACCELERATED FOR ARTHRITIS AND RELATED DISEASES.

COMMUNITY HEALTH & SUPPORT: THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION COMMUNITY PROGRAMS EMPOWER PEOPLE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CHALLENGES AND DEVELOP SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS. THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE KIDS AND FAMILY CAMPS, THE JUVENILE ARTHRITIS NATIONAL CONFERENCE, THE WALK WITH EASE EXERCISE PROGRAM, AND EXERCISE AND AQUATICS PROGRAMS. THE PEOPLE WE REACH THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND ARM WITH INFORMATION AND SELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES HAVE A BETTER PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR DISEASE AND, IN TURN, BETTER OUTCOMES.