Women In Govermment welcomes you to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Policy Resource Center. We encourage you to browse our site and contact us with any feedback.
Letter from Mary Brooks Beatty, President of Women In Government
Facts & Statistics
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure.
Approximately 1.3 million Americans have RA.
Two to three times more women than men have RA.
Onset usually occurs between 20 and 60 years of age with incidence increasing with age.
Possible RA risk factors include genetics, environment (bacteria or virus), hormone levels and/or stress.
RA often begins with morning stiffness and fatigue, progressing over weeks or months to joint swelling and pain.
Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential to slow progression of the disease and delay loss of function.
Treatment often includes a combination of medication and possibly surgery.
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the most common cause of disability in the United States.
