CAPA works hard throughout the year to raise awareness and ensure the voice of the arthritis patient is heard loud and clear. But September is a special month – Arthritis Awareness month – and the time where we can take extra efforts to increase awareness of this disease. In support of Arthritis Awareness Month, we’re launching our Pregnancy and Parenting survey and our position paper on the important topic of Medical Cannabis. Read more about what CAPA has been doing in this message from President, Linda Wilhelm.

The topic of medical marijuana (or what is now being called medical cannabis) has been widely covered in the media. We take so many medications but what does this one mean to people living with arthritis? Get informed by reading the CAPA Position Paper on Medical Cannabis.

Arthritis affects individuals in many aspects of their life including decisions regarding pregnancy and in carrying out their role as a parent. As a result, CAPA has launched a project to identify patient information needs as it relates to pregnancy and parenting. The survey is intended for individuals living with arthritis and for people in their social support network. The information obtained through this survey will be analyzed and used to develop an educational resource for pregnancy and parenting with arthritis. Share your perspective by taking the survey in English or French and help shape the development of this important resource!

New CAPA Discussion Guide and Appointment Tool – CAPA has developed an Appointment Tool, Discussion Guide and an information sheet about inflammatory arthritis. These new educational resources will help you communicate better and make the most of your time with your healthcare team.  Learn more by reading the resources available in English and French on our website.Patients as Partners in Research – The arthritis community in Canada has a long history of involving people living with arthritis in research projects as collaborators and partners. CAPA has created a new webpage which is a compilation of various important resources, such as the history of Patient Involvement in Research and the Guide for Researchers and Consumers. Don‘t forget to listen to the webinar about how patients are involved in the The Arthritis Society’s grant review process!

CAPA presentation on Subsequent Entry Biologics (SEBs) – SEBs continue to be a hot topic and as a result, we have created a presentation to summarize CAPAs position on this topic. Stay informed and read all about it here!

CADTH submissions – We have continued to provide input to the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) in their review drugs. Read CAPA’s submission for Otezla (Apremilast) for Psoriatic Arthritis.

Meeting reports – CAPA Board Member, Don Mohoruk attended a medical cannabis conference in July 2015. Another meeting report is available regarding a research workshop on Outcomes in Mothers with Rheumatic Disease and their Offspring. Stay informed by reading these meeting reports on our website!

Share your personal experience of living with Arthritis – September is Arthritis Awareness month and the time where we can take extra efforts to increase awareness of this disease. Tell your family, friends and neighbours of how serious this disease really is, how it affects your ability to work and be the spouse or parent you want to be.

Qualman-Davies Arthritis Community Award – Do you know a person with arthritis who has, or is, providing leadership in the community and deserves recognition for their valuable volunteer work? We encourage you to help celebrate their contributions by nominating them for the 2015 Qualman-Davies Arthritis Consumer Community Leadership Award. Don’t delay as nominations are due by September 21st!

Have your say in determining Fibromyalgia research priorities – The Canadian Institute of Health Research – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA) is requesting your input in identifying research priorities by taking a short survey. The survey closes shortly so take the survey in English or French now!

Share your thoughts on living with chronic disease – Researchers are exploring new ways to help people with chronic illness live well. Share your opinions about what should be considered by completing this short survey. To participate, you need to be 18 years of age or older, live in Canada and have one or more chronic illness(es).

Due to the fact that arthritis pain is the biggest reason why Canadians are taking medical cannabis, The Arthritis Society has for the past year been closely examining this treatment and taken a leadership role in the health care community. Read more about TAS’s medical cannabis resources here…

Important safety information – An important update regarding the safe use of Acetaminophen was published on the Health Canada website in recent months. The update was published to ensure the safe use of the medication and to minimize the risk of liver damage.Website and Facebook – Our website and Facebook page are being continually updated with new information. Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest arthritis and advocacy information