The Arthritis Foundations are well-established Public Benevolent Institutions recognised as the representative body for people with Arthritis. The Arthritis Foundations provide:

	Information and education, and
	Elevates standards of care at the political, social, scientific and health professional levels,
	Fosters relevant research,
	Raises and directs resources to regularly reviewed priorities, and
	Aims to be the preferred provider of self management health services to people in metropolitan and regional Australia.

MISSION

To improve the quality of life of people by reducing and preventing the effects of musculoskeletal disorders.

ROLES

	To raise and allocate funds to support research into arthritis,
	To influence the policy directions for education and marketing programs for improved knowledge and awareness,
	To lobby Federal and State Governments,
	To produce high quality publications for distribution.

GOAL

A community freed of the pain and disability of arthritis is the Foundation's ultimate goal. To this end, it will strive to improve the quality of life for all Australians affected by rheumatic diseases, and thereby indirectly alleviate the economic and social costs of arthritis to the Australian community.

EDUCATION / HEALTH PROMOTION

ARTHRITIS INFOLINE

Volunteers who have received special training and the Foundation's education staff, are available to provide information and support to the community. The Foundations receive over 20,000 telephone calls per year from people with arthritis and osteoporosis needing information on their disease.

Health promotion activities are carried out throughout Australia. The Foundation's Health Professionals travel extensively conducting Arthritis Self Help and Osteoporosis Self Management, Leaders Training Courses and Public Awareness Seminars. Leaders Training Courses are conducted for peer leaders and Health Professionals e.g. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Community Nurses.

Through this network of trained professionals and the Arthritis Foundation's Support Groups, thousands of Australians attend courses. These world recognised courses have improved the quality of life and reduced the community cost for people with Chronic Arthritis and Osteoporosis. Also, hundreds of public education seminars are held each year - many in regional areas.

Successful Juvenile Arthritis, Young Adults, Lupus, Scleroderma, Ankylosing Spondylitis Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Fibromyalgia Seminars are held for special interest groups. For more details on any of the educational programs contact Arthritis Foundation in your state.

For more information Phone: 1800 011 041

or Visit: www.arthritisfoundation.com.au

Alternatively contact Arthritis Australia on 1800 111 101 and donate to Trike Around Australia for Arthritis.