Home > Grassroots
Grassroots
Advocacy Priorities
Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard!
As a part of our yearly Advocacy Summit, Arthritis Advocates from across the country are visiting their representatives in person to urge them to support Arthritis Advocacy Priorities. If you can't join us, you can make your voice heard in our Virtual Summit by taking a moment to send an e-mail to tell your Senators and U.S. Representatives how arthritis affects your life, and ask them to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control & Cure Act.
Advocacy Priorities
Learn about the current, major advocacy priorities for improving the lives of people with arthritis. Follow the links to find background information and sample letters you can send to Congress urging action.
This list in no way encompasses all of the areas for legislative action. That's why we welcome your ideas for enhancing the arthritis advocacy agenda. Send your thoughts to advocacy@arthritis.org.
- Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act
- Arthritis Research
- Arthritis and Public Health
- Send a letter to your members of Congress
Recent Testimony Submitted in Support of our Funding Priorities
The Arthritis Foundation recently submitted testimony to the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittees in support of our funding priorities for the federal fiscal year 2009. The Arthritis Foundation supports a 6.6% or $1.9 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health to support research; support for a national network of cooperating clinical centers for the care and study of children with arthritis; and $23 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s arthritis program to support public health activities to help prevent and control arthritis.
Shortage of Pediatric Rheumatologists
A new Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report reveals a severe shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S. and calls for a 75 percent increase in the number of pediatric rheumatologists. Many of the recommended solutions to address the shortage In the report are already contained in the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. Write your Senator and Representative today and ask them to support the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act.
The key to success in changing government policies and funding is through grassroots advocacy.
What's "grassroots advocacy" and why should I get involved?
Grassroots advocacy is individuals committed to influencing positive changes in their lives, their communities and in their elected governments by making their personal stories and opinions known. Getting involved means calling, writing a letter, sending an email, or even visiting your elected representatives who serve you in Washington, DC, and in your state.
