Page 751 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 24 March 1993
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"Funding for Research" is this year's theme for the Arthritis Foundation. A decent share of research funding is necessary. It is only by truly understanding the disease that we can go further in treating the disease instead of attempting to merely alleviate the pain. People often associate arthritis with the elderly but it can strike at any age. Many people are hit by this sometimes crippling disease while still young. Chances of contracting arthritis can occur any time after your first birthday. Although one in three people will experience arthritis in retirement, the disease also will affect thousands of children. Unfortunately, arthritis does not receive the attention it deserves because it is not seen as a fatal disease, but it affects more young people than diseases which are fatal. In the first week of life the chance of becoming a victim of arthritis is one in 100,000, but by the age of retirement one in three Australians will have contracted the disease, and 60 per cent of those will be women.
The aim of Arthritis Week, which commenced on Sunday, 21 March, is to increase awareness of the disease in the community and to highlight the serious effect it has on the entire community. This year the special focus on research aims to attract more funding to this important area. If only $2 for every person with arthritis were directed to research, funding would double to $4m nationally. In the ACT the local branch of the Arthritis Foundation receives government grants to assist with administration costs and the employment of an education officer. The Health Promotion Fund also is responsible for grants for festivals and assistance in fundraising events. Facilities provided by ACT Health, including the hydrotherapy pool at Woden Valley Hospital, go a long way to helping arthritis sufferers ease their pain.
The Arthritis Foundation uses its funds to make the community more aware of the effects of arthritis and the research necessary to continue the work on finding the cause and a cure. As part of the launch of Arthritis Week in the ACT a very successful festival was held at the Manuka Pool. This helps to inform the community about arthritis exercise and diet for sufferers and how to live with the disease. The awareness campaign continues through this week, including "Joint walks" as one of the themes, fashion parades and auctions.
Progress is being made in researching the cause of, and a cure for, arthritis. Major advances in molecular biology in recent years are increasing the pace of research. Madam Speaker, many people have their own form of a remedy for arthritis, from copper jewellery to large doses of vitamin C or supplements of evening primrose oil. However, every day professionals are trying to reduce the risk of arthritis. These include general practitioners, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, community nurses and representatives of the local Arthritis Foundation.
Madam Speaker, the ACT Government is aware of the importance of research into arthritis. Until the cause or a cure can be determined, we will continue to assist those who suffer from this debilitating disease. I present a copy of this statement and move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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