We want everyone to know that kids get arthritis too!
When it comes to arthritis, most people don’t think about children
and young people.
There are 18,000 to 30,000 children and young people aged 0-24 in Australia living with arthritis* the same number in that age group that are estimated to have diabetes.
Arthritis in children can strike at any age. There are 6,000 to 10,000 kids aged 0-16 years with arthritis.
Many children and young people living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and childhood rheumatic diseases (CRDs) require complex treatments, experience daily pain and physical limitations.
How can you mark WAD?
Register with AJAR – If you are a parent of a child or a young person (0-25 year olds with JIA or other CRDs) register on the Australian Juvenile Arthritis Registry (AJAR) if you haven’t already. Register with AJAR here.
Write to your MP – tell them your story – its clear evidence that kids do get arthritis. Like many other people, your state and federal MP’s may not know that kids get arthritis, how serious it is and what the impacts on the family are.
Spread the word – Share JAFA posts from Facebook, Insta and Linkedin. Talk to people you meet about juvenile arthritis!
Juvenile Arthritis is under recognised, under resourced, under served
Kids with arthritis deserve better.
The Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) is the primary organisation representing children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their families. We work with and through the families impacted by JIA to get what these kids need to live their best lives.
By supporting JAFA, you help us continue advocating and changing these children and young people’s lives. You can donate via our website today here
*(The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2023))
