UPFRONT | Roundup PUBLIC POLICY Take 5 B.C. invests $3 million in arthritis research as well reduce work disabil-ity, improve pain manage-ment, and address the spe-cial needs of ar thritis patients in the province.” Though osteoarthritis is the most widely recognized form of the condition, arthri-tis can range from mild forms of tendinitis and bursitis to crippling systemic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It also includes pain syn-dromes such as fibromyalgia and diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. “Arthritis Research Cen-tre scientists address and answer questions that are meaningful in enabling pa-tients to keep moving, work-ing, playing and contribut-ing to life in B.C.,” said Alison Hoens, an arthritis patient. The Ministry of Health’s HealthLink BC website provides information and resources for arthritis pa-tients and their families. The ministry also supports programs to help British Columbians get active, eat healthy and quit smoking, so they may avoid chronic diseases like arthritis. The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC) was created in 2000 in rec-ognition of the significant impact research could have on arthritis treatment in the country. ARC is a pa-tient-oriented research cen-tre, conducting clinical re-search and trials related to arthritis prevention, diagno-sis, prognosis and quality of life issues. For more stories on public health policy visit canadianchiropractor.ca Minister Lake (far right) with ARC board chair Ron McKerrow and ARC donor Maureen Ilich. British Columbia Health Minister Terry Lake has announced $3 million in funding to the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada to boost developments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, which affects more than 600,000 British Columbians. “With this investment, our government aims to help the Arthritis Research Centre continue to improve the lives of British Colum-bians living with arthritis, as well as reduce the burden arthritis puts on our health-care system,” said Lake. With more than 100 dif-ferent forms of arthritis, and as a leading cause of disabil-ity, the impact on the Cana-dian economy is estimated to be $33 billion each year in health-care costs and lost productivity. “Many people aren’t aware arthritis can be a de-bilitating chronic condition that affects people of all ages, from children to the elderly,” said Dr. John Es-daile, scientific director of the Arthritis Research Cen-tre. “With further research into this complex illness, we can work to prevent arthritis, NUMBER CRUNCHING Sports and athletic organizations are calling for increased vigilance and prevention of sports-related injuries, particularly among young children. The move is understandable, considering current statistics. Sports injuries percentage of sports-related injuries among Canadian adolescents 66 4.3 number of youths who suffer serious sports injuries every year million youth age group with highest number of sports concussions number of children and teens who participate in some form of organized sports in the U.S. www.canadianchiropractor.ca 8 Canadian Chiropractor October 2014 Illustration: Brian Fray 12 to 15 3.5 million
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