Enterprising Women: Working With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sept. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- September 24, 2013 (Phoenix, AZ) - More than 50 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis.  Women outnumber men diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 2.5 to 1. The impact of arthritis on work and social life, family relationships, physical activity level, and almost every other aspect of daily life can be devastating.

“With rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system – which is designed to protect our health by attacking foreign cells such as viruses and bacteria – instead attacks the body’s own tissue. As a result of the attack, fluid builds up in the joints, causing pain in the joints and inflammation that’s systemic – meaning it can occur throughout the body,” says Dr. Sheetal Chhaya. Chief of the Rheumatology Division at Maricopa Medical Center.  “It is a painful disease that can limit everyday tasks, including brushing your teeth, picking up your child, and brushing your hair.”

Women make up nearly 50% of the work force –they are thought leaders, employers and employees. Arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability, limiting the activities of 50 million Americans and causing 1 of 3 working-age adults (aged 18–65 years) to report work limitations.[1] Close to one out of every three employees with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leaves the workforce.[2] Many lose their jobs, retire early, or reduce their hours. It can also be difficult for employers trying to balance business goals and provide adequate medical coverage for employees.

"Arthritis affects 1.2 million people in Arizona - our families, friends and neighbors - and 65% of those affected with arthritis are under the age of 65! We need to look at how we can prevent this disease and other chronic diseases that make it difficult for women to live the life they want to live,” says State Representative Health Carter.

Join Rep. Heather Carter, patients, and medical experts, for the “Enterprising Women: Working with Rheumatoid Arthritis” luncheon & panel discussion on September 24, 2013 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM as part of the national Women’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Project 2013 (http://wrap2013.org/) (WRAP 2013). WRAP 2013 is a Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness project for working women, and employers, sponsored by Business & Professional Women’s Foundation and Women Impacting Public Policy in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation. This roundtable discussion will establish a dialogue focusing on the critical issue of women’s health in the workplace.

WHAT: Enterprising Women: Working with RA luncheon & panel discussion. Policy and practical implications women’s health and chronic disease have on the workplace, innovative initiatives on the part of businesses, medical advances and more.

WHO:

·  Keynote Speaker: State Representative Heather Carter---Vice Chairman, Health and Human Services Committee.

·  Moderator---Ann Sullivan, President, Madison Services Group

·   Jessica Edgar, MSN, CPNP -- Patient & Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Rehabilitative Services

·   Melissa Lenberg---Patient & Small Business Owner, Citrine Natural Beauty Bar

·   Sheetal Chhaya, DO—Chief – Division of Rheumatology, Maricopa Medical Center

WHERE: The Ritz Carlton—Phoenix, 2401 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept 24, 11:30am-1pm

About the Arthritis Foundation: The Arthritis Foundation is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of arthritis on the 50 million Americans affected (including 300,000 children), a disease which must be taken as seriously as other chronic diseases because of its devastating consequences. We are leading the way to conquer the nation's leading cause of disability through increased education, outreach, research, advocacy and other vital programs and services. Our goal is to reduce by 20 percent the number of people suffering from arthritis-related physical activity limitations by 2030.

About Business & Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW): With a legacy dating back to 1919, BPW Foundation was the first foundation dedicated to conducting research and providing information on working women. The mission of BPW Foundation is to promote systematic change in the workplace by strengthening the capacity of organizations and businesses to create environments that are inclusive and value the skills and contributions of working women, empowering them to achieve their full potential.

About Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP): WIPP is a national nonpartisan public policy organization, advocating on behalf of over 1 million women-owned businesses representing 68 business organizations. WIPP provides timely economic policy information, identifies important trends and opportunities to its membership, and provides a collaborative model for the public and private sectors to increase the economic power of women-owned businesses.

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/arthritis.htm

[2] http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/rheumatoid-arthritis-work-and-disability