JointHealth™ express August 23, 2019
On election day, make your voice count.
The general election in Manitoba is scheduled for September 10, 2019. What changes would you like to see in arthritis models of care?
Arthritis has devastating and debilitating effects on the lives of more than 226,000 Manitoba residents living with arthritis, or one in four Manitoba residents, a rate higher than the national average of one in five. Within a generation, the number of Manitobans with the most disabling and life-threatening types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – is expected to significantly increase. To effectively treat and manage arthritis, the next elected Manitoba government must improve the level of arthritis prevention, treatment and care.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability and work disability in Manitoba. About a quarter of the population with arthritis between 20 and 54 years of age in Manitoba were not in the labour force because of their arthritis, costing Manitoba’s economy more than $600 million in productivity losses.
Considering the prevalence of the disease and its significant cost to individuals and society, arthritis is an issue of great importance to candidates running for office. ACE sent an open letter and a survey to candidates running in the Manitoba election. As part of its core government outreach activities and in the spirit of non-partisanship, ACE asks each candidate to share how government can improve prevention, treatment and care in Manitoba.
The questionnaire asked the following questions:
If you have comments, questions, or concerns about any of the answers provided, please take the time to contact the parties.
On election day, make your voice count.
The general election in Manitoba is scheduled for September 10, 2019. What changes would you like to see in arthritis models of care?
Arthritis has devastating and debilitating effects on the lives of more than 226,000 Manitoba residents living with arthritis, or one in four Manitoba residents, a rate higher than the national average of one in five. Within a generation, the number of Manitobans with the most disabling and life-threatening types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – is expected to significantly increase. To effectively treat and manage arthritis, the next elected Manitoba government must improve the level of arthritis prevention, treatment and care.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability and work disability in Manitoba. About a quarter of the population with arthritis between 20 and 54 years of age in Manitoba were not in the labour force because of their arthritis, costing Manitoba’s economy more than $600 million in productivity losses.
Considering the prevalence of the disease and its significant cost to individuals and society, arthritis is an issue of great importance to candidates running for office. ACE sent an open letter and a survey to candidates running in the Manitoba election. As part of its core government outreach activities and in the spirit of non-partisanship, ACE asks each candidate to share how government can improve prevention, treatment and care in Manitoba.
The questionnaire asked the following questions:
- What will your government do to bring a high quality, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Manitoba residents?
- What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
- What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars and increase accessibility to life enhancing medicines and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Manitoba residents living with inflammatory arthritis?
- What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of indigenous peoples living with arthritis in Manitoba?
- How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Manitoba employers and the Manitoba economy?
- Will your government take steps to ensure timely, specialized care for Manitoba patients with arthritis, including joint surgery wait times that are within medically recommended guidelines?
If you have comments, questions, or concerns about any of the answers provided, please take the time to contact the parties.
- The Green Party of Manitoba
- Manitoba Liberal Party
- New Democratic Party
- The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.