World Arthritis Day

World Arthritis Day

Each year World Arthritis Day focuses on a different aspect of living with a rheumatic disease. World Arthritis Day falls on Monday, 12th October, with the theme of ‘Let’s Work Together’. 

Be it paid employment, voluntary work or working at home supporting a family, the theme embraces understanding for people with rheumatic diseases, from healthcare professionals and employers.

The aims of World Arthritis Day are to raise awareness of arthritis in all its forms among the medical community, people with arthritis and the general public; to influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of arthritis and the steps, which can be taken to ease it; and to ensure all people with arthritis and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.

According to various studies published by the Arthritis Research Campaign UK, up to four in ten working people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) lose their jobs within five years of developing the condition.  Previous studies indicated that 14 percent of patients give up working in the first year of their disease.  The numbers are even worse for patients with Lupus, with a quarter out of work, as they experience tiredness and pain.

It seems that giving up employment early in the disease is because hospital referrals and treatment have not yet begun.  Results showed that older age, lower income and fewer working hours were also factors for leaving employment.

The statistics are particularly alarming in how many sick days are caused by musculoskeletal conditions.  Nearly half (46 percent) of all sick days are taken by people suffering from muscle and joint pain, according to a new study by the Work Foundation in the European Union.  Whilst these are not NZ results they are still relevant.

Of the musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis is the most prevalent with an estimated annual cost to New Zealand of $2,089 million, affecting around half a million people.

64 percent of people with arthritis are currently in the New Zealand workforce.  Compared to the total population, unemployment rates are higher among people with arthritis.  However, access to medication and support would assist more people to remain employed.

“We know that the biggest cost of arthritis to the community is loss of earnings and other productivity costs – so there are individual and community benefits to having people with arthritis in the workforce,” says Ms Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand.

The ‘Fit for Work’ report claims that by detecting muscle and joint disorders early on and intervening appropriately, the lives of many people could be improved and they could be helped to stay in work. 

It is vital that employers understand the limitations that some arthritis sufferers experience and are open to looking at options to help their employees stay in paid employment. 

People who are able to continue working experience a range of health, social, psychological and economic benefits. 

ENDS

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