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International

	ARMA International Affairs Our international membership is aimed at organisations based outside of the UK where we actively collaborate with other national and international organisations. Our membership keeps you informed and connected with developments across the globe and provides you with the connections and resources to help combat musculoskeletal disorders. Currently ARMA is a member of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Bone and Joint Decades (BJD).
	EULAR PARE Rep - Di Skingle Diana SKINGLE has had rheumatoid arthritis since 2005. After a career in HM Diplomatic Service that took her all over the world, she has now settled in London. She is a member of the EULAR PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) Board and is a Director of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. She is also Hon Secretary and Executive Committee member of Age Concern Chiswick, London. She considers that it is vital that the views of all those who use medical and welfare services should be at the heart of how they designed and delivered. She said “I think that it particularly important that the voice of those with musculoskeletal diseases should be heard loudly at local, national and international levels. It is only then that the complex needs associated with these chronic conditions can be fully considered and met.”
	EULAR – the European League Against Rheumatism ARMA is the PARE member representing the UK. As the UK national organisation of people with arthritis/rheumatism we provide information on the different conditions specifically developed for a non-medical audience, and also offer contact between people with the same problems caused by their disease. Countries across Europe are represented within EULAR, which provides a diverse organisation which represents different approaches resulting from size, structure and activities, however all work with a common to improvie the lifes of people with arthritis/rheumatism. EULAR activities include lobbying at the european level, e.g., raising awareness of the disease, defending the civil rights of people with arthritis, or having access to the latest and most appropriate treatments. EULAR collect then collate information on the different musculoskeletal conditions conditions specifically developed for a non-medical audience. As the UK representitive ARMA acts as an information hub, disseminating information to the musculoskeletal community across the UK. For more information see EULAR website.
	Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) The United Nations, the World Health Organization and 37 countries proclaimed the year 2000-2010 as the Bone and Joint Decade. Due to the success of this organisation it has now been extended to the Bone and Joint decades. This global initiative is intended to improve the lives of people with musculoskeletal disorders and to advance understanding and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders through prevention, education and research. The initial 10-year global initiative launched by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan urges governments around the world to start taking action to draw attention to the growing pervasiveness and impact of musculoskeletal diseases and to reduce the social and financial burdens to society. What is ARMA’s Role in the Bone and Joint Decade? As a supporter of the Bone and Joint Decade, ARMA is part of a worldwide effort to: raise awareness and educate the world on the increasing societal impact of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders empower patients and service users to participate in decisions about their care and treatment increase global funding for prevention activities and treatment research continually seek and promote cost-effective prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders The World Health Organization estimates that several hundred million people already suffer from bone and joint diseases, with dramatic increases expected due to a doubling in the number of people over 50 years of age by 2020. Musculo-skeletal conditions are the most common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability, affecting hundreds of million of people across the world. The extent of the problem and its burden on patients and society can be understood from some examples: Joint diseases account for half of all chronic conditions in persons aged 65 and over. Back pain is the second leading cause of sick leave. Fractures related to osteoporosis have almost doubled in number in the last decade; it is estimated that 40% of all women over 50 years will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. The severe injuries caused by traffic accidents and war produce a tremendous demand for preventive and restorative help. It it anticipated that 25% of health expenditure of developing countries will be spent on trauma related care by the year 2010. Crippling diseases and deformities continue to deprive children of their normal development. Please visit the BJD site for more information.
ARMA International News EULAR PARE - Edgar Stene Prize - Essay competition "Overcoming the challenges of getting around with a rheumatic or musculoskeletal disease" Every year EULAR and the Standing Committee for PARE offer the Edgar Stene Prize for the best essay on a previously determined topic. The Stene Prize is EUR 2,000 and includes travel to the Annual EULAR Congress of that year with hotel accommodation for up to four nights as well as an invitation to attend the Opening Ceremony and the Gala Dinner at the congress. The EULAR member organisations of ... Read More ... The third Annual Fit for Work Europe Conference The third Annual Fit for Work Europe Conference The third Annual Fit for Work Europe Conference took place on Wednesday 19 October 2011 in Brussels, endorsed by the Polish Presidency of the EU. Attracting over 170 delegates from across Europe, including healthcare professionals, policy makers, patients, employers and trade unions, this year's conference was the most successful ever. The central theme of the conference was ‘Change with Us: Practical steps and solutions towards making musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) a health and work priority at ... Read More ... Chain Of Trust European Patients' Forum EU project co-financed by the EU Public Health Programme The European Patients' Forum (EPF) is implementing, together with other six partners, an EU project co-financed by the EU Public Health Programme called "Chain of Trust". Started in January 2011, this project aims to assess the perspectives of the main end users of telehealth services, i.e. patients, doctors, nurses and pharmacists across the EU to see whether and how views have evolved since the initial deployment of telehealth and what ... Read More ... World Arthritis Day - photo-competition Arthritis Day photo-competition and inspire and motivate others with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to become more physically active and 'Move to Improve' If you have an RMD you can enter a good quality photograph of yourself participating in your favourite physical activity, exercise or sport with a short statement about how this helps you overcome some of the physical challenges of your condition and how being active improves your life (http://www.worldarthritisday.org/action-shot-photo-competition) Eligibility and prizes The competition is open to all people with RMDs ... Read More ... 1 2 3 4