http://www.arthritis.org/news-releases.php Arthritis Foundation News Room http://www.arthritis.org/2009-national-award-winners.php The Arthritis Foundation bestowed its highest nationwide honors to several deserving recipients during its national meeting on Nov. 20 in Atlanta. http://www.arthritis.org/2009-harding-award-winner.php Awarded annually, the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service recognizes the individual who best exemplifies the highest standards of concern and commitment to the arthritis cause. http://www.arthritis.org/2009-howley-prize-winner.php John O’Shea, M.D., of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was awarded the Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Arthritis Research for his continued research advancements in the treatment and control of rheumatic diseases. http://www.arthritis.org/2009-odlum-award-winner.php The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs received the Floyd B. Odlum Award for their continued generous support of the organization nationwide. http://www.arthritis.org/world-arthritis-day-survey.php Survey finds employers more likely to hire people with disabilities when supported by incentives, legislation and a better understanding of needs. http://www.arthritis.org/neuman-cero-announcement.php The Arthritis Foundation has appointed Debra Neuman to the position of chief external relations officer. Carrying out her new role from the organization's headquarters in Atlanta, Neuman will provide nationwide leadership for all marketing, branding, fundraising and communications efforts. http://www.arthritis.org/access-to-meds.php A new bill supported by the Arthritis Foundation and introduced by Sen. John. D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) aims to make expensive medications more affordable to many Americans. The Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009 would cap monthly out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs, including medications that are critical to the health and quality of life for people with arthritis. http://www.arthritis.org/fda-tnf-blockers.php The FDA is requiring TNF blocker manufacturers to update prescribing information regarding an increased risk of malignancies in pediatric patients. The Arthritis Foundation concurs that additional data and analysis are needed to determine whether malignancies are a direct result of TNF blocker use. If there is an increased risk, it appears to be small, particularly when compared to the risk of disability from untreated juvenile arthritis. http://www.arthritis.org/medicare-discount.php The Arthritis Foundation supports the agreement between the White House, Senate Finance Committee and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to provide a 50 percent discount to certain beneficiaries who meet specific income guidelines on brand-name medicines covered by a patient's Part D plan when purchased in the coverage gap. http://www.arthritis.org/acetaminophen-comment.php On June 30, 2009, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recommended greater regulation of acetaminophen to reduce deadly overdoses and liver injury. Recommendations that affect people with arthritis include switching the 1,000 milligram dose to prescription status; limiting the maximum single dose of the drug to 650 milligrams; and lowering the maximum daily dose; eliminating prescription painkillers that combine acetaminophen with strong narcotics; and stronger labeling. http://www.arthritis.org/shuey-release.php David Shuey, an active Arthritis Foundation volunteer, is riding a 4,000 mile trail from west to east coast in honor of his mother, who spent the last 15 years in a wheelchair, unable to walk due to spinal damage caused by arthritis. Shuey's cross-country ride begins in Seattle on June 5, 2009, and ends on his 60th birthday, August 9, 2009, in Cape May, NJ. http://www.arthritis.org/health-care-reform.php The Arthritis Foundation proposes five principles to be included in any health care reform legislation. http://www.arthritis.org/statement-biotech-meds.php ATLANTA, April 2009 -- The innovation of biological therapies has transformed the treatment and care of many different forms of arthritis. The current biological therapies profoundly reduce pain and inhibit the progression of joint damage; however for some patients, access to these therapies is limited or non-existent due to cost and availability. The Arthritis Foundation supports legislation to establish an efficient pathway for the approval of safe and effective follow-on biologics within the FDA. http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-act-senate.php ATLANTA, May 6, 2009 -- A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate today will strengthen efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis – the nation’s most common cause of disability. The bi-partisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) will address a disease that impacts more than 46 million adults and nearly 300,000 children. http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-disability-mmwr.php ATLANTA, April 30, 2009 - Nearly 48 million Americans have a disability, an increase of 3 million from 1999, and arthritis tops the list of most common causes of disability, according to an article published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). In addition, the number of people who report arthritis as the primary cause of disability has increased by 1 million. "Arthritis is a debilitating disease that profoundly impacts the lives of millions of Americans on a daily basis," said John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation. "The effects of arthritis on the economy are enormous; the direct and indirect medical costs of this disease are estimated to be $128 billion each year." Klippel adds that this figure stems from the fact that annually, arthritis accounts for 44 million outpatient visits, 992,100 hospitalizations and 9,367 deaths. http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-heart-disease-link.php ATLANTA, Feb. 26, 2009 – Arthritis affects more than half of adults with heart disease and appears to be a substantial barrier to utilizing physical activity to help manage their condition, according to a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the Arthritis Foundation, the study underscores the importance of physical activity in effective management for adults with both arthritis and heart disease. http://www.arthritis.org/apcca-bill-introduced.php ATLANTA, Feb. 26, 2009 - A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today will strengthen efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis - the nation's most common cause of disability. The bi-partisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.), will address a disease that impacts more than 46 million adults and nearly 300,000 children. http://www.arthritis.org/totalkneereplacements.php ATLANTA, Feb. 19, 2009 – A new study released today found blacks remain less likely than whites to undergo total knee replacement, an important intervention for reducing pain and improving physical function among those with disabling knee osteoarthritis. The study also found total knee replacements are increasing substantially in both populations. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the research underscores the need for healthcare providers and people of all races to take proactive measures in preventing and managing the disease. http://www.arthritis.org/top-10-advances-2008.php ATLANTA, Feb. 2, 2009 – The documentation of the severity and risk for arthritis and the promise of biologic medications in treating major forms of arthritis are among the top 10 most significant arthritis advances of 2008, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation’s annual top 10 list also includes clues to better understanding arthritis’ origins and the increase of government support for programs to help people with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/arthritis/36642/ ATLANTA, GA - January 12, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — The Arthritis Foundation today announces the launch of Let's Move Together, a nationwide movement created to improve the quality of life of the one-in-five Americans living with the pain of arthritis. Let's Move Together is designed to inspire people to move every day to prevent or treat arthritis, encouraging daily physical activity for better health and participation in their local Arthritis Walk—an annual event that promotes fun and fitness. By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million.