About
Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research organization in North America. We do arthritis research like no one else! Our scientific team is working to identify what causes arthritis, develop better treatments and create tools to help over 6 million Canadians manage symptoms and thrive despite their arthritis.
“The ultimate aim of research is always to find a cure, but that can be difficult to do. It’s important that, in the meantime, we’re also doing research to improve quality of life for people who have arthritis,” said Charlotte Ryder-Burbidge, a rheumatoid arthritis patient and member of Arthritis Research Canada’s Arthritis Patient Advisory Board.
Our mission is to change lives through arthritis research. Our vision is a future where research-based services, tools, and knowledge empower people with arthritis to triumph over pain and disability.
Arthritis Research Canada has six centres across Canada in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and is affiliated with seven major Canadian universities, including: the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and Dallhousie University.
Our world-class scientists are uniquely positioned to find answers to the most pressing issues for people living with different types of arthritis. Our team includes rheumatologists, orthopaedic specialists, physio and occupational therapists, pharmaceutical sciences, rehabilitation specialists, public health experts, epidemiologists, psychologists, health economists, biostatisticians, paediatricians, knowledge translation specialists, and more.
Arthritis Research Canada works for and with patients. Our Patient Advisory Board partners with our scientists to ensure our research is relevant, meaningful, and helpful to people with arthritis.
Our Impact
Arthritis, in its 100 forms, is the most costly, chronic disease in Canada and the number one reason for work disability. Arthritis now affects more than 6 million Canadians, young and old, and costs our economy $33 billion annually.
Through donor support, Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific team is conducting over 100 studies aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, developing new and better treatments, and improving quality of life. We are determined to reduce the burden of arthritis and give people timely and cost-effective solutions to address their healthcare needs.
Your dollars go directly to research that has the greatest impact on changing and saving the lives of millions of Canadians who struggle with arthritis.
What does arthritis research look like in action? It’s developing a program to help people diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis stay employed. Or finding ways to prevent serious, life-threatening complications like heart attacks and strokes. It’s creating a program to prevent osteoarthritis from happening after a sports injury. Or determining the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for people who have autoimmune arthritis. These are just a few examples.
