ARTHRITIS Society Canada on Monday released The State of Arthritis in Canada Report Card, giving low grades to all provinces and territories, underscoring the urgent need for action and innovation in the field of arthritis care.
The first of its kind report was developed through collaboration within the arthritis community across Canada and is an impetus towards the development of a concrete, solution-oriented arthritis action plan, the society said.
Here are the Arthritis Report Card key findings at a glance:
* Canada needs better arthritis data
Data across the country is inconsistent, insufficient and too siloed to show a clear picture of the problem and its potential solutions.
* Access to arthritis care is a challenge
Too many Canadians cannot access arthritis care and demands outweigh system capacity.
* Arthritis research is underfunded
Relative to the burden of disease including the number of Canadians impacted, more investment is needed in arthritis research.
* Provincial/territorial findings and opportunities for action
The highest grade among all jurisdictions in Canada was a “C,” indicating significant room for improvement and that much work needs to be done.
In a separate consumer study conducted by Angus Reid for Arthritis Society Canada, 93 per cent of Canadians agreed that more arthritis research is needed. Additionally, 88 per cent of Canadians agreed that wait times are too long for arthritis related surgeries and services.
“We have a growing arthritis crisis in this country,” said Trish Barbato, President and CEO at Arthritis Society Canada. “Arthritis is more prevalent than diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke combined. We need to invest in arthritis research, adopt new models of care, raise awareness and improve data collection to address the burden this disease places on our healthcare system.”
The report highlights four actions governments can take now:
- Enhance the quality of health data
- Improve access to arthritis care
- Invest in arthritis research
- Raise awareness of arthritis
The society said that governments can play an immediate role by increasing investment in arthritis research and improving arthritis specific data collection. The Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada can work with the arthritis community and provinces/territories to collect better arthritis data. The work of the pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy is critical.
“More than six million Canadians have arthritis – that’s one in five,” said Siân Bevan, Chief Science Officer, Arthritis Society Canada. “By not taking any action, that number will soar to nine million by 2040. Together we must do better.”
Provinces and territories can take steps to improve access to arthritis care through new or expanded models of care, better use of technology, and more community-based joint management programs, according to the society.
Link to The State of Arthritis in Canada Report Card
