It is Arthritis Awareness month and the Consumer Advisory Board members would like to highlight a few arthritis initiatives and websites for our readers:

IMHA – On the Move!

This newsletter reports on the latest medical and research issues in the areas of musculoskeletal health and arthritis. This field of science includes the study of arthritis, rehabilitation, bone, muscle, skin, and oral health. Articles focus on the latest research, scientific awards, ethics, practice, and related matters of interest to the medical and scientific community.  Check out their newsletters: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/12218.html

Joint Action on Arthritis:
A Framework to Improve Arthritis Prevention and Care in Canada

The Arthritis Alliance of Canada has created this document to communicate the arthritis community’s vision of what is needed to improve the lives of people living with arthritis, to galvanize action around long-term strategies and initial priorities, and to facilitate and focus collaboration among governments and arthritis stakeholders.

The Framework is intended to engage consumers, educators, employers, insurers, government policy makers, health care providers, researchers, and other arthritis stakeholders around strategies to optimize resources for more effective prevention, detection and management of arthritis. With a mandate to create collaborative and constructive change, the Framework focuses on activities and initiatives that will have a direct effect on the lives of people living with arthritis. The report will be available on the Alliance website after September 18, 2012. Website: www.arthritisalliance.ca

Wired Café: Arthritis Management in a Digital World

Join us in Vancouver, BC on Tuesday, October 16 for lively discussion on the use of digital media in the management of chronic pain and arthritis. The rapid growth of digital media has provided tremendous opportunities to access health care when and where it is needed. From social networking tools and interactive websites, to animations and virtual realities, online and mobile technologies can improve access to treatment and support for people of all ages living with arthritis. Learn the latest from clinicians and researchers at BC Children’s Hospital, the Centre for Digital Media, the University of British Columbia and the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada.

This informal event will be held at the W2 Media Café in Gastown and will be webcast live in order to reach a larger audience.

For details on how to register for this free, interactive event, please visit Wired Cafe(or) follow us on Twitter @Arthritis_UBC.

This free event is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and sponsored by the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada.

Join the public awareness campaign – World Arthritis Day

Every year on World Arthritis Day, 12 October, people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) from around the world join to make their voices heard. For 2012, The European League Against Rheumatism invites you to raise your hands, as well as your voices and join our campaign to create awareness of the importance of physical activity for people with RMDs by sending us pictures and short videos of people waving their support – a small gesture with a big message. (If you want to guarantee your picture is included it needs to be uploaded by 16 September.) Send strong messages to policymakers and the public and raise awareness of issues affecting people with RMDs!

To find out more about our ‘Waving for World Arthritis Day’ campaign and to upload pictures of people waving, visit: http://www.worldarthritisday.org/waving.

Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group

The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group (CMSG) is made up of health care professionals, researchers and consumer representatives that belong to the Cochrane Collaboration, an international, non-profit organization that aims to help people make well-informed decisions about health care by preparing, maintaining and promoting reviews of the effects of health care treatments. For more information: http://musculoskeletal.cochrane.org

The Arthritis Society’s Event Calendar

The Arthritis Society provides excellent education programs and forums. Check out the event calendar to see which event you may be interested in attending. http://www.arthritis.ca/page.aspx?pid=1862

JointHealth monthly & JointHealth express

Monthly: Easy-to-read, research-based information for people living with arthritis, their families, health professionals and the public.

Express: Breaking news alerts about arthritis.

Find them at: http://jointhealth.org/programs-jhmonthly.cfm

Reaching Out with Arthritis Research (ROAR) 2012

If you have persistent joint pain, osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis), or if you are wondering about the best strategies for keeping active, consider attending ROAR 2012.

The Consumer Advisory Board of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada is hosting ROAR on Saturday, October 13, 2012. The scientific researchers at the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC) will be speaking about the best ways for those with osteoarthritis (OA) to stay active for life. Although there is no known cure for OA, it is possible to reduce pain, improve the movement of joints and limit its effects on daily activities … find out more; register at: https://www.arthritisresearch.ca/ROAR