JointHealth™ express September 28, 2020
On election day, make your voice count.
The general election in British Columbia is scheduled for October 24, 2020. ACE is asking the major political parties what is their position on arthritis prevention, treatment and care.
Arthritis is Canada’s most prevalent disease. And it’s far more serious than most people realize. Approximately one in five adults in B.C. have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Two- thirds are under the age of 65. It’s common among athletes and those with physically demanding jobs. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of work disability in British Columbia and the rest of Canada.
Within a generation, the number of British Columbians with the most disabling and life-threatening types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – is expected to significantly increase.
One of the most important voices in discussions about health care belongs to those most affected by health policy—the person living with chronic disease who can provide critically important perspectives in discussions about health policy; yet too often, consumers' voices are not heard. And that’s why, it is important you make your voice heard in the upcoming B.C. provincial election on October 24, 2020.
To help you with your decision, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) sent an open letter and a survey to candidates running in the British Columbia election, asking each candidate to share how their government can improve arthritis prevention, treatment and care in B.C.
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. What are the most important issues that will determine who you will vote for? Share your answer by contacting us.
On election day, make your voice count.
The general election in British Columbia is scheduled for October 24, 2020. ACE is asking the major political parties what is their position on arthritis prevention, treatment and care.
Arthritis is Canada’s most prevalent disease. And it’s far more serious than most people realize. Approximately one in five adults in B.C. have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Two- thirds are under the age of 65. It’s common among athletes and those with physically demanding jobs. In fact, arthritis is the leading cause of work disability in British Columbia and the rest of Canada.
Within a generation, the number of British Columbians with the most disabling and life-threatening types – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – is expected to significantly increase.
One of the most important voices in discussions about health care belongs to those most affected by health policy—the person living with chronic disease who can provide critically important perspectives in discussions about health policy; yet too often, consumers' voices are not heard. And that’s why, it is important you make your voice heard in the upcoming B.C. provincial election on October 24, 2020.
To help you with your decision, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) sent an open letter and a survey to candidates running in the British Columbia election, asking each candidate to share how their government can improve arthritis prevention, treatment and care in B.C.
The questionnaire asked the following questions:
- What will your government do to bring a high quality, accessible, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all B.C. residents?
- What will your government do to ensure the continuation, improvement, and expansion of virtual care for all B.C. residents – both patients and health care professionals?
- What will your government do to improve the Province’s ranking on the ACE Report Card?
- What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Indigenous peoples living with arthritis in B.C.?
- Will your government take steps to ensure timely, specialized care for B.C. patients with arthritis, including joint surgery wait times that are within medically recommended guidelines? How will your government manage the backlog of surgical appointments that occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you have comments, questions, or concerns about any of the answers provided, please take the time to contact the parties. What are the most important issues that will determine who you will vote for? Share your answer by contacting us.
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.