The Arthritis Society of Canada has released its Arthritis Report Card for 2023. (Photo: Arthritis Society of Canada)

By David Opinko

Alberta scores “C” in arthritis report card

Oct 30, 2023 | 11:05 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new report states that every jurisdiction in Canada has room to grow when it comes to caring for those living with arthritis.

The Arthritis Society of Canada has released its report on The State of Arthritis in Canada.

Chief Science Officer Siân Bevan said more than six million Canadians have arthritis.

“By not taking any action, that number will soar to nine million by 2040. Together, we must do better,” said Bevan.

The report’s authors gave Alberta a letter grade of C, which is tied with B.C., Ontario and Quebec for the highest score in the country.

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Alberta scored favourably in the categories of access to care and treatment, as well as research and innovation.

In the access to care and treatment category, it did particularly well in terms of availability to medications, number of rheumatologists in the workforce, and the number of people without a regular primary care provider. On the other hand, Alberta struggled in its score for the number of orthopaedic surgeons in the workplace.

Under research and innovation, Alberta scored a nine out of 10 for its commitment to innovation, but had only a four for its funding of arthritis research.

The province was more middle-of-the-road in its grades under the wellness category. It scored between four and six in all four subcategories, which were the impacts of arthritis on physical activity levels, impact of arthritis pain on activities, obesity rates within the arthritis population, and impact of arthritis on employment.

Four jurisdictions received overall grades of F, including P.E.I. and three territories. In the case of the territories, however, the Arthritis Society of Canada said there is a “significant gap in information,” making it difficult to provide an accurate assessment.

The full report can be accessed on the Arthritis Society of Canada website.

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