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Online resource that helps patients better understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage the denial process and reduce health care costs.
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Do I Have Arthritis?
Think you may have arthritis? Learn about the four most common warning signs.
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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurse Newly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercising Stairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
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    • Emotional Well-being
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  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
    • Treatment
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    • Medical Decisions
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  • Professionals
    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

    Fellowships

    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

    • Better Living Toolkits
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    Common Topics
    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's knee Conquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

    Focus

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    • Participate in Clinical Trials
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  • Get Involved
    Common Topics
    Capital hill Action Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnail Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

    woman listening to podcast Live Yes! Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    • Advocacy
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    • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
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ACR 2020 Highlights: A Unique Perspective as Both a Patient & Provider

By Cheryl Crow, patient advocate and occupational therapist

My name is Cheryl Crow, and I am an occupational therapist (OT) who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 18 years.

In early November, I was honored to attend the annual American College of Rheumatology’s virtual conference as both a speaker and an attendee. Along with fellow patient and health care provider Courtney Wells, PhD, a social worker and instructor, and fellow RA patient, Mariah Leach. creator of Mamas Facing Forward , I presented during the session, “Reproductive Health: Meet Women's Needs.”

During our session, we shared research on how many women with rheumatic diseases lack sufficient education and support during their reproductive and parenting experiences, and we proposed some potential solutions. My presentation focused on how to “Address Postpartum Needs of Women with Rheumatic Diseases: Practical Tips From an OT.”


“It was really powerful to share my best tips and tricks from my training and my personal experiences — I even got to share cute baby pictures of my son, Charlie, to illustrate my points!”

The best part was seeing the responses in the “chat” box during the session, as well as on social media afterward. For example, Megan Clowse, MD, MPH, associate professor at Duke University wrote: “This has been a terrific session and the highlight of the meeting for me. Thank you so much for doing this and for all of your work.” Dr. Berquist wrote: “I've never thought about referring my arthritis patients to OT during the post-partum period. It makes sense.” Dr. Edens shared: “Thank you for highlighting the importance of involving patients in their care and addressing the many aspects of reproductive health in rheumatic diseases.”

My session was not the only one that highlighted the patient perspective. I was blown away by another session, “Patient Perspectives,” particularly when patient Elisabeth Abeson shared her “Integrative Approach to Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Healing the Body, Mind & Spirit.” Abeson described how her journey to find the best healing tools for her rheumatoid arthritis has taken her around the world! She also shared the importance of art therapy and meaningful social connections at patient support groups.

Additionally, I found one of the keynote lectures, “Empowering Patients to Make an Impact on the Future of Healthcare,” by Jen Horonjeff, PhD, very powerful. She is a juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patient who has formed Savvy Co-Op , which empowers people to use their patient experiences to improve health innovations. She passionately articulated the importance of truly listening to patients to help them improve larger systems — not just the quality of their own care.

Another highlight was a study group session: “Developing Disease-Specific Patient Support & Education Programs,” by Hospital for Specialty Surgery social workers Adena Batterman, LCSW, MSW; Roberta Horton, LCSW, ACSW; Jillian Rose, PhD, LCSW, MPH; and Joan Westreich, LCSW, plus a complementary session, ”Patient Education: Team Up to Optimize Outcomes,” by Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, LMSW; Mwidimi Ndosi, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), PgCert, RN; and Sandra Mintz, MSN, RN-BC. Both sessions highlighted the importance of deep and meaningful patient-provider partnerships in all aspects of rheumatology care.

Lastly, I was very moved and excited to hear a session about how to “Help Patients Navigate Online Support & Social Media,” particularly the sub-talk, “Your Digital Patients: Patient-Centered Social Media,” by Jilaine Berquist, MD, of SSM Dean Medical Group. Dr. Berquist had a very balanced view about the fact that disease-specific social media communities are an important source of support for many patients, but she also provided advice for how to avoid common downsides of social media, including lack of quality control for information shared.

It was an honor to attend this virtual conference and help elevate the voice of both patients with rheumatic diseases and the role that occupational therapy can play in helping patients manage complex diseases.
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    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

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Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

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Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

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Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.

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Volunteer


Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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  • Start a Live Yes! Connect Group
  • Be an Online Community Moderator
  • Local Leadership Board

Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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