Facts

Who has arthritis?

4.5 million Canadians.
Two thirds of those with arthritis are women.
Three out of five people with arthritis are under the age of 65.
One in six Canadians aged 15 years and older report having arthritis and arthritis-related conditions.
One in 1,000 children in Canada has arthritis.
Arthritis can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis including: lupus, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Arthritis can be broken down into two main types: Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) and
Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis is an example)

Arthritis is the leading cause of work disability in Canada.
In rheumatoid arthritis, research shows rates of work disability are remarkably high. Approximately two out of three (66%) people with rheumatoid arthritis have experienced short term or long term loss of ability to work due to their disease.

Two-thirds of Canadians with arthritis believe that exercise poses the risk of aggravating their symptoms. The truth is that physical activity is a key prevention strategy for chronic diseases like arthritis.
Weight management is critical to arthritis. Losing 10 pounds of excess weight translates into a decrease in stress on the knees by 40 pounds.
More than 80% of hip and knee joint replacement surgeries are caused by arthritis.
Appropriate exercise has been shown to reduce pain for people with arthritis.