Arthritis Foundation Launches Year-Long Recognition Of 60th Anniversary

Main Category: Arthritis
Article Date: 28 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Arthritis Foundation began a year-long observance of 60 years as the nation's leading organization dedicated to ending the pain, disability devastation of arthritis. While great strides have been made in the treatment and understanding of arthritis, the disease remains the most common form of disability in the U.S.

"The progress we have made in improving the treatment of arthritis over the past 60 years is truly amazing," said John H. Klippel, M.D., CEO of the Atlanta-based health organization. "In 1948, we were just beginning to learn about the role of the immune system in causing joint inflammation and damage in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis and knew virtually nothing about the genetic links to diseases like osteoarthritis. The idea of replacing entire joints, now a routine procedure with more than 600,000 total knee and hip replacements done each year, was once more science fiction than science."

While Dr. Klippel recognizes the progress and is proud of the role played by the Arthritis Foundation, he sees a looming public health crisis in the near future if greater steps are not taken.

"Arthritis now affects 46 million Americans, that's one in five people, and costs the U.S. economy $128 billion each year," added Dr. Klippel. "By 2030, it is projected that 67 million Americans will have arthritis and the costs associated with providing care for this many people will have a profound impact on the health care system."

The Arthritis Foundation sees increased federal funding for arthritis research and public health programs and greater access to early detection and more comprehensive arthritis healthcare as a key means of addressing this pressing issue. The Foundation is currently mobilizing its grassroots network of thousands of volunteers to encourage Congress to pass the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act (APCCA).

In recognition of the advancements made over the past 60 years, the Foundation has compiled a list of milestones in the fields of arthritis awareness, advocacy, research and treatment since 1948. Below are a few highlights.

- 1950 - Nobel Prize awarded to Edward Kendall, MD, Philip Hench, MD and Thadeus Reichstein, MD, for investigations of the hormone cortisone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

- 1968 - Dr. David MacIntosh pioneers knee replacement surgery.

- 1974 - Congress passes the National Arthritis Act, which legislates funding for development of comprehensive arthritis care centers, assistance for medical schools and establishment of a national commission to develop long-range plans related to arthritis.

- 1980 - Researchers funded by the Arthritis Foundation discover evidence that Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks.

- 1986 - National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is established.

- 1998 - FDA approved the first biologic (TNF inhibitor) for the treatment of RA. The entire list of "60 Milestones in Arthritis" is available at http://www.arthritis.org.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://www.arthritis.org.