World Arthritis Day(WAD) is annually observed across the globe on 12th October to create awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and to share information and support the RMDs patients and their caregivers.
The first World Arthritis day was observed on 12th October 1996.
The theme of 2020 World Arthritis Day(WAD) is “It’s in Your Hands, Take Action”.
Background:
i.World Arthritis Day(WAD) was established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) in 1996, to raise awareness about the sufferings of people with RMDs and to influence the public policies and inform the patients with RMDs and their caregivers about the available support network.
ii.This world day is managed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR).
Don’t Delay Connect Today – Time2Work:
i.Don’t Delay Connect Today campaign initiated by the EULAR, that brings together the EULAR’s Patients(PARE) organisations, Scientific members societies and health professional associations along with its international network, with an aim to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and access to treatment.
ii.The theme for 2019/2020 is Time2Work.
Event 2020:
EULAR organised a digital debate, EULAR 2020 Brussels Forum on “Employment risks and impacts for Europeans with RMDs during the COVID-19 recession”.
About Arthritis:
i.Arthritis is one of the most common diseases that affects the day to day activities of the patients.
ii.The inflammation or swelling of joints is known as Arthritis.
iii.It describes around 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joints and other connective tissues.
iv.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and the other common forms include, Gout, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Lupus.
About European League Against Rheumatism(EULAR):
President- Prof. Iain McInnes
General Secretary– Prof. Zoltán Szekanecz
Headquarters– Kilchberg(Zürich), Switzerland
