JAFA thanks NSW Health Minister, the Hon Ryan Park, for launching the results of its landmark national IMPACT Study detailing the physical, mental, social and financial costs of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases for 0-25yr old Australians and their families.

Held in NSW Parliament House and co-hosted by JAFA and Dr Joe McGirr, MP for Wagga, the launch was a happy occasion enjoyed by the JAFA Board and guests, including MPs, JAFA friends, advisors and families including 18 beautiful children and young people.

JAFA is proud to present the results of its landmark ‘IMPACT Study’ which detail the previously hidden physical, mental, emotional and financial burden of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs) on affected 0-25yr olds and their families and carers.

The IMPACT Study was conducted in 2023 via a national survey and provides the first comprehensive analysis of the personal and financial costs of these diseases. This study represents another milestone in the history of JIA and related CRDs in Australia.

It is four years this December since JAFA was established and together with the JAFA community, families, friends, and supporters like you, we are making a difference for children and young people with JIA and CRD’s.

It’s a good start, but we need to do much more and we need your help.

JAFA’s 10th free online symposium for parents and older children is scheduled for 7.00pm-8.45pm AEDT Thursday November 30.

The symposium will feature new and emerging Australian research into juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases. Click to register or scan the QR code to hear newly released result of JAFA’s national IMPACT Study and have your say about future research priorities. 

Something you can do today to change your own or your child’s tomorrow! Launched in Parliament House in March 2023, AJAR is now open for 0-24yr olds with juvenile arthritis or other childhood rheumatic diseases. Registering with AJAR will help build a bank of information about how many children and young people have these diseases and if this changes over time. Knowing this will support planning for better services and research for better treatments.

JAFA is pleased to present its Annual Report which highlights major activities and achievements for 2022 and traces the ever-increasing momentum JAFA is building to improve political awareness, change health policy, and increase resourcing for juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases in Australia.

Highlights of JAFA’s year included afternoon tea with the Prime Minister, tabling in the federal parliament of the report on the Parliamentary Inquiry into Childhood Rheumatic Diseases, and leveraging $22million in Medical Research Future Fund grants for childhood rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The report concludes with a preview of JAFA’s newly articulated Strategic Priorities for 2023-2025.

When we recently had afternoon tea with the Prime Minister at the lodge in Canberra, we presented him with messages from some kids and young people with arthritis. They provided insights into living with these diseases, and they shared their thoughts on
What it’s like to have arthritis and What they would do for juvenile arthritis if they were Prime Minister.