Partners
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Arthritis Foundation works with the CDC to promote public health efforts for arthritis and to implement objectives outlined in the National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis and change people's attitudes and behaviors related to self-management (e.g., physical activity). Specifically, CDC works to measure the burden of arthritis, strengthen the science base, raise awareness, and build state arthritis programs. Through a multiyear grant, the CDC supports many Arthritis Foundation activities including this web site, evidence-based programs at the chapter level, and the development of consumer education materials.
National Institutes for Arthritis, Muscoloskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
The Arthritis Foundation played an integral part in lobbying for the creation of NIAMS and continues to advocate for its continued and increased funding from Congress every year. The Arthritis Foundation and NIAMS have partnered on many projects through the years, including a recent funding agreement, where the Arthritis Foundation has committed almost $500,000 to fund new genetic research that could revolutionize the way in which rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed and treated. For more information, please visit www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info .
Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
Many questions remain about the causes, the best treatments and how to improve long-term outcomes in childhood arthritis. To expedite the process of answering these critical questions, a national network of pediatric rheumatology centers, called the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA), was established in 2001. This alliance provides an infrastructure that makes it easier to conduct large, multi-center studies, increasing the number of children who participate in studies and reducing the amount of time it takes to achieve valid research results. The Arthritis Foundation played a key role in CARRA's development by awarding a two-year contract to CARRA's interim steering committee to help the alliance build its central administrative structure and network. On April 8, 2005, the Arthritis Foundation renewed its commitment to CARRA with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Foundation, the American Juvenile Arthritis Organization (AJAO) and CARRA. As part of its new agreement, the Arthritis Foundation will provide a total of $525,000 over the next 3 years. For more information, please visit www.carragroup.info/ .
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
The Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have a long-standing partnership concentrating on increased patient and professional education, government funding of arthritis research through NIAMS, access to appropriate healthcare from qualified pediatric and adult rheumatologists, and aiding access to effective medication and other treatment options. For more information, please visit www.rheumatology.org/.
The Bone and Joint Decade
The Arthritis Foundation is a supporter of the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade (2000-2010), a concerted global effort to help people affected by musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis. A coalition of 37 countries, the United Nations and the World Health Organization have joined together to raise awareness of the serious impact arthritis and related diseases have on the world, including empowering people to take a lead role in their health and funding of important preventive and treatment programs for people with arthritis. For more information, please visit www.usbjd.org/.
