Community Events
Arthritis WA participates in an extensive program of community initiatives held throughout the year to promote awareness and education of arthritis, osteoporosis and related conditions.
Public seminars covering a wide range of topics are held and feature specialist guest speakers such as Rheumatologists, Nutritionists, Physiotherapists and other health professionals.
In addition, interactive community events such as school visits and open mornings coincide with an annual calendar of national and international awareness campaigns.
National Arthritis Week
National Arthritis Week is held every April across Australia to highlight the impact of arthritis and that much can be done for those living with this debilitating disease. This awareness event focuses on the positive approach people with arthritis can undertake to improve their quality of life.
For further information on Arthritis Week activities call the foundation on 9388 2199
National Healthy Bones Week
Healthy Bones Week is a joint initiative of Osteoporosis Australia and Dairy Australia held every year in August to promote the importance of building healthy bones in younger people now to prevent osteoporosis and fractures in later life.
Read about 2007 Healthy Bones Week activities here
World Arthritis Day
World Arthritis Day unites people with arthritis from around the world each year on October 12 as they join together to make their voices heard and raise awareness of arthritis, a disease that affects millions of individuals across the globe.
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.
- To ensure all people with arthritis and their care-givers are aware of the vast support network available to them.
As the population ages, more must be done, particularly at government level, to reduce the ever increasing incidence of arthritis across the world.
In 2007 Arthritis WA organised a unique research symposium focused on 'Understanding and Preventing Musculoskeletal Pain.' Thank you to all who took part.
World Osteoporosis Day
Initiated in 1996 by the UK National Osteoporosis Society, World Osteoporosis Day has been sponsored and promoted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation since 1997. In 1998 and 1999, the WHO played a significant role as a co-sponsor, thereby lending an even greater international weight to this annual event. Since then, the public outreach and media impact of World Osteoporosis Day has grown significantly, involving national osteoporosis societies from all regions of the world.
In 2007 Arthritis WA held a Health Professionals Breakfast in aid of World Osteoporosis Day with speakers who discussed "Calcium & Vitamin D - How important are they?"
