Western Pennsylvania Chapter
Grassroots
Become An
Advocate!
Our federal and state governments play a leading role in determining whether persons with arthritis have access to health care services including medications, how much funding is allocated for arthritis biomedical research, public health initiatives and more.
The Arthritis Foundation is building a network of volunteer advocates who are dedicated to educating policymakers on the challenges facing persons with arthritis, developing a unified and consumer-based advocacy agenda, and advocating for adoption of the agenda in Washington, D.C. and our state capitals.
Number of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms:
· 2005 – 46 million (nearly 1 in 5 adults)
· One in three people in Pennsylvania has arthritis.
· 300,000 children have arthritis or some form of rheumatic diseases.
(that is more than the number of kids with sickle-cell, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis combined)
· Arthritis is the nation's leading cause of disability.
· Arthritis costs the U.S. economy more than $86.2 billion annually in medical expenses and missed work. Baby boomers are at prime risk. More than half those affected with arthritis are under age 65.
The Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act is the first arthritis-specific legislation in more than 25 years. The legislation will significantly expand the government's investment in arthritis research. The Arthritis Foundation is asking Members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation and move it toward passage. Your voice will be important to help in this effort.
For more information on advocacy, visit:
http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy
(Detach Here)
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Yes! I want to become an advocate.
Name __________________________________________________________
Mailing Address __________________________________________________________
City _________________________ State _____ Zip ___________
Home Phone _____________ Work Phone ______________
E-mail*(required)____________________________________________
Company (if applicable) _________________________________________________________
Do you have arthritis? ________ If yes, what type? ______________
Complete this form and mail/fax it to:
Attn: Advocacy
Arthritis Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter
100 West Station Square, Ste. 1950
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412.566.1645/Fax: 412.391.1677
