Good morning.
My name is Kelly Gorman, and I'm with the Arthritis Society Canada.
There are six million Canadians living with arthritis today. That's one in five. Arthritis is the most common chronic disease in Canada, and the leading cause of joint replacement surgery.
Arthritis affects all ages. Over half of those living with arthritis are under the age of 65. It is the leading cause of disability and workplace limitations. There is no cure.
In October, we released our report card on the state of arthritis in Canada, and C was the highest grade awarded to a province or territory. Canada has an arthritis problem, and it needs attention.
We believe the federal government has a role to play. Specifically, arthritis research is underfunded. Only four dollars per person with arthritis is invested in research compared to $12 for a comparable chronic disease. We believe in and support the request by Research Canada and Health Charities Coalition to increase the base funding for the granting councils, specifically the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Arthritis data is not sufficient. The government should continue to accelerate the development of a pan-Canadian health data strategy, and we urgently need better health data regarding arthritis, which can be collected through StatCan and PHAC.
Thank you.