Arthritis Care Awareness Week 2023

Arthritis Care Awareness Week is a UK based event which raises awareness about arthritis, gathers support for people with this condition, and highlights the work of Arthritis Care, a charity which supports this event. Arthritis is a condition marked by painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. There are many types of arthritis which can affect a person in different ways.

This Event Is Support By Arthritis Care

Arthritis Care is the UK's largest voluntary arthritis organization. Founded in 1947, a year before the UK's National Health Service was established, Arthritis Care has, and continues to be, committed to supporting people with arthritis.

This charity helps people to understand this condition, and helps to alleviate the pain, isolation and disability which arthritis can bring. As arthritis is a long term incurable condition, Arthritis Care also supports and teaches people how to manage their condition through a self management training program.

Arthritis Is The Single Biggest Cause Of Physical Disability In The UK

This awareness event highlights the fact that arthritis is a widespread condition which affects many people. In the UK, 9 million people are affected by arthritis. As people in the UK are living longer (there is an aging population), even more people will be affected by arthritis in the future.

Whilst this condition is associated with older people, arthritis can affect people of all ages. In the UK, approximately 27,000 people under the age of 25 have arthritis, of which 12,000 are children. The founder of Arthritis Care, Arthur Mainwaring Bowen, was only 25 years old, when he developed a form of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis.

Promoting Awareness

This event helps to educate the public about how arthritis can affect a persons life. Arthritis can be painful and for many it can stop them from living the life they want.

For some years, a theme is set which provides a focus for the week. For example, in 2007 the theme had been, 'Much Done, Much Still To Do' which reflects past achievements of Arthritis Care and the work that still needs to be done.

One focus of this event is to inform people with arthritis about how to live with their condition. The week  is also a time to promote Arthritis Care's support network.

The Arthritis Care Website and UK freephone hotline, 0808 800 4050 is a good place to start for those who require more information about arthritis and the support available to them.

Arthritis Care also provide information booklets, an award winning news service 'Arthritis News', four holiday hotels, and run local, national and international campaigns.

For more information visit Arthritis Care.