EP calls to recognise the extraordinary burden of rheumatism and arthritis
Once adopted by the Parliament, it will become a resolution calling on the Commission and Council to make rheumatic diseases a priority in the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme and the EU's new health strategy. The declaration also calls on the Commission to strengthen legislation to outlaw disability discrimination through a specific Disability Directive and to encourage Member States to take measures in favour of better access to the full range of treatments in all EU countries. Authors of the written declaration are Richard Howitt (UK), the Chairman of the EP's Disability Intergroup, Adamos Adamou (Cyprus), David Hammerstein (Spain), Ursula Stenzel (Austria) and Gra¿yna Staniszewska (Poland). A written declaration is a means for MEPs to start new political initiatives or legislation. To become an official resolution of the Parliament, at least half of the MEPs must sign within 3 months. Rheumatic diseases affect more than 40% of Europe's population more people than any other group of disorder within the European Union: It is the single major cause of early retirement due to disability and sick leave in many EU-countries. No single group of diseases costs more to the health care systems of the European Union than rheumatic disorders. According Prof. Tore Kvien, President of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and Prof. Josef S. Smolen, EULAR Past-President, rheumatic diseases pose the largest burden of disease in the EU when combining prevalence, costs and mortality. Speaking on behalf of the patient organisations, Robert Johnstone, President of Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARi), who has had rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 3 said: "These conditions have a dramatic impact on quality of life and the ability to enjoy a full and useful role in society. Johnstone explained that he had an employment record of only 2 years of full time employment since leaving university. "Nevertheless, I had to spend thousands of Euros a year on my own health care", Johnstone added. With the declaration MEPs openly attack the European Commission for overlooking one of Europe's most important health threats. The EU's current 6th Research Framework Programme does not recognise musculoskeletal conditions as major diseases'. Rheumatology research therefore receives no specified funds. "It is long overdue that rheumatic diseases are explicitly recognised as one of the major diseases' like cancer, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes/obesity," Richard Howitt underlined.About EULAR,EULAR - the European League Against Rheumatism represents the patient, health professional and scientific societies of rheumatology of all European nations. The organisation aims to foster excellence in science and education, to translate research advances and to reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases on the individual and society. It is equally committed to improving the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal diseases.