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Arthritis UK
Arthritis UK is the
leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and
support. We provide free helpline and support services, help train healthcare
professionals and we are the largest dedicated funder of arthritis research,
having invested more than £367million over the last two decades.
At Arthritis UK, we want
to stop arthritis from dominating or destroying people’s lives. Together
with researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, supporters and
volunteers, we’ll continue to develop breakthrough treatments,
support those who need us, and campaign relentlessly for arthritis to be seen
as a priority. We won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access
to the treatments and support they need to live the life they choose,
with real hope of a cure in the future.
What will be showcased on our stand?
There are 10 million
people living with arthritis. That’s one in six of us living with the pain,
fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions (conditions
affecting the muscles, bones and joints) like arthritis affect 20.3
million people in the UK and are the single biggest cause of pain and
disability in the UK.
On average around 15,000
people per Parliamentary constituency live with arthritis. Arthritis affects
people of all ages, including children and young people. 10,000 children have a
recorded diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. There are also
inequalities in the prevalence of arthritis according to factors like
deprivation, sex, ethnicity, and age.
Arthritis and MSK conditions are one of the most common reasons for
workplace absence in the UK, accounting for 23.4 million days lost in work
in 2023. The cost of working days lost due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis was estimated at £2.58 billion in 2017 and is set to rise to
£3.43 billion by 2030. 1 in 4 who are
economically inactive, live with arthritis or another form of
MSK.