Advocacy 101

Whether you are attending Arthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, or meeting with your state officials, advocating for arthritis issues throughout the country is essential to making medications more affordable, funding new research and ultimately finding a cure. 

The Arthritis Foundation is committed to turning these challenges and priorities into action through our state and federal advocacy programs. Check out our New to Advocacy Checklist to get started, and read below for more details. 

Personal 

Represent and speak up for yourself and your loved ones. Be informed about the issues and take an active role in positively impacting policy that will allow you and your community to live a healthy, productive life. 

Community 

With your help, we can work together to build the strongest community possible. You can be the voice for the interests and concerns of your neighbors. 

Media

Use your local communication channels to increase public awareness and influence public interest in arthritis issues through publication letters, social media, interviews and other communication platforms. 

Legislative

Reach out to elected officials at the local, state or federal level, to educate and influence them on important legislative decisions. Every American has a constitutional right to have his or her voice heard by elected decision makers. 

Policy 

Help improve laws, regulations and rules that affect access to treatment, affordability, and patient care.

As a citizen of the United States of America, it is your right and responsibility to take an active role in our government. You can do so as an Arthritis Foundation Advocate! Your first step is understanding the basic structure of our civic system. There are three levels of government you can engage with: 

Federal

If you want to engage at the federal level, you should contact your Representative in the U.S. Congress and your two U.S. Senators. You can also reach out to the President of the United States, who heads the executive branch of the federal government. 

State

If you want to engage at the state level, you should contact your state legislators. Every state (except Nebraska) has a bicameral legislature with both a House and a Senate.  The Governor of each state heads the executive branch. 

Local

If you want to engage at a local level, you can notify your local elected officials, like your town’s mayor or council member. 

Elected officials at all levels of government represent the members of their community called constituents. As a constituent, you have specific elected officials based on where you live. Find your elected officials on our website - go to our Action Center and use the Find Officials tool. 

Send your questions to [email protected]