Summer 2008

ACTION ITEMS

Calling all teens:  Take charge of your arthritis on-line

Teens are invited to test drive a new web-site devoted to them, their arthritis and the challenges they face managing their arthritis. The site is called ‘Teens Taking Charge: Managing Your Arthritis On-Line’. If you have a story to share, this site is for you. read more | comments

Why Bill C51 is important to you

Bill C51 almost moved through the parliamentary process unobserved by the majority of Canadians. That ended with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s public announcement and the ensuing debate regarding the inclusion of Natural Health Products in the Bill. read more | comments

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Looking ahead

CAPA's success in attracting members adds energy to the work we do and brings new ideas for involvement that mirrors members' concerns. read more | comments

COMMENT AND PERSPECTIVE

Medications coverage update

CAPA’s commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of timely access to medications particularly biologic medications for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis is well documented and on-going. The following is an overview of our activity during the first half of this year. read more | comments

Transportation cost recovery:  A factor in accessing health services

Government reimbursement programs can ease the pain of transportation costs for people who need to travel to obtain medical care. read more | comments

Arthritis pain featured at osteoarthritis workshop

Research presentations at the Segal North American Osteoarthritis Workshop included a new tool for measureing pain and the link between biology and psychology in reducing pain. read more | comments

Consumer Advisory Council big hit in Paris: EULAR conference report

Thirteen thousand people including two arthritis consumer advocates from Canada attended the 9th annual Congress for the European League Against Arthritis (EULAR) held in Paris this June. What were the questions they were asked most often by their international colleagues? read more | comments

Inside the briefcase: Take a look

• Registration and programme details for the 17th International Congress on Palliative Care, September 23-26, 2008 at the Palais des Congrès in Montréal, Quebec, is now available on the Congress web site at www.pal2008.com. The Congress provides an opportunity to review and share the latest developments in research as well as perspectives on end-of-life care from different cultures, spiritual traditions, and professions.

• Relay Cochrane - Volume 4 - lists the top five Cochrane reviews accessed by Canadians in 2007. Are you wondering what they were? Cochrane Relay - Volume #4

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

The scientific case for patient empowerment

Most of us operate in the belief that patient empowerment is a good and necessary thing. We feel good when we’re in control. But do we make better progress in staying healthy or recovering from surgery or illness if we have a sense of empowerment? read more | comments