Arthritis in Children, Teens and Young Adults
The Arthritis Foundation is devoted to serving the special needs of children, teens and young adults with childhood rheumatic diseases and their families. Right now, there are nearly 300,000 children in America with some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease. There are 8.4 million young adults between the ages of 18-44 who have arthritis and millions of others at risk for developing it.
While there are some issues that are shared by everyone with arthritis, its impact on school, social life, family relationships, dating, sports, and almost every other aspect of an active, growing young person's life raises special concerns. New coping skills for living with the everyday challenges of arthritis must be learned. Teens and young adults entering the workforce have new issues to face.
That’s why the Arthritis Foundation has assembled this area and its links to multiple resources.
This is one starting point. Take time to explore other sections of the entire Web site, especially Arthritis Answers -- the focal point for disease and treatment information.
If you would like more information about programs, services and products for children with arthritis and their families, please contact the Arthritis Foundation -- (404) 965-7538 or by e-mail: help@arthritis.org.
Arthritis Foundation membership includes parents, family members, doctors, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, social workers, young adults and anyone with an interest in arthritis in young people. To become a member now, visit our online registration page.
Pediatric Rheumatology Shortage
Kids Get Arthritis Too, as a matter of fact nearly 300,000 children have it. This leaves us with a big problem. There aren't enough pediatric rheumatologists and several states are without any of the specialists at all. Read more about the shortage in a USA Today article on the crisis.
For more in-depth information, read the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report that revealed how severe the shortage of pediatric rheumatologists really is.
