Working to prevent, control, cure arthritis

To the editor,

Forty-six million American adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and this number is projected to increase to 67 million in 2030. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not a disease that only affects older people. Approximately 300,000 children also have the disease. In addition to the chronic pain people with arthritis endure daily, the direct medical costs for arthritis were $81 billion, and total costs were $128 billion in 2003. Over 1.3 million people here in Missouri suffer the pain and discomfort associated from arthritis.

To help address this ever-growing problem, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act would help ensure early diagnosis to prevent future disability; provide a mechanism for the efficient use of limited federal arthritis research dollars; and would assist in better access and care for children with arthritis.

We greatly appreciate Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond and U.S. Reps. William "Lacy" Clay, Russ Carnahan, Emanuel Cleaver and Sam Graves for their support of the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act.

We ask U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and U.S. Reps. Todd Akin, Ike Skelton, Roy Blunt, Jo Ann Emerson, and Kenny Hulshof to support the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act.

We ask Congress to make this legislation a priority for the 46 million Americans and 300,000 children struggling with the daily pain and disability of arthritis.

ANN MANGELSDORF, director of services, Arthritis Foundation-Eastern Missouri