Help Resources

For the latest on RA symptoms, treatments, prevention tips, studies and connecting with others for support, please visit:

Arthritis Foundation

www.arthritis.org

http://arthritis.org/conditions-treatments/disease-center/rheumatoid-arthritis/

WebMD

http://webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-resources-1

American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

http://rheumatology.org/

Global Health Living–Creaky Joints

http://creakyjoints.org/

 Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations

http://csro.info/

Rheumatoid Patient Foundation

http://rheum4us.org/

For links to outside resources, and clinical trials, please visit:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
http://niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp

For Employers who want to learn how best to assist employees who have RA, please visit:

http://nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoid_arthritis/living_with_rheumatoid_arthritis/employment_benefits/when_an_employee_has_rheumatoid_arthritis.aspx

Workplace Accommodations for Individuals with Arthritis

For Employees living with RA at work—what you can do to help yourself:

http://webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/rheumatoid-arthritis-work-and-disability

http://arthritis.about.com/od/employ/a/continuetowork.htm

Join a network of other professionals who have RA:

http://linkedin.com/skills/skill/Rheumatoid_Arthritis

Facts about RA

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease.  Clinical manifestations of the disease include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Unless treated, this debilitating disease can progress into long-term disability.

Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks women at a rate three times more than men.  With women making up about 50% of the workforce, the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on workplace productivity is enormous—to the tune of billions of dollars. Many lose their jobs, retire early, or reduce their hours.  Due to rheumatoid arthritis it can also be difficult for employers trying to balance business goals and provide adequate medical coverage for employees.

• RA affects between 1.5 and 2 million Americans.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that’s between 0.5 percent and 1percent of Americans.
  Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks women at a rate three times more than men.
• With women making up about 50% of the workforce, the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on workplace productivity is enormous—to the tune of billions of dollars. Many lose their jobs, retire early, or reduce their hours.  Due to rheumatoid arthritis it can also be difficult for employers trying to balance business goals and provide adequate medical coverage for employees.
• RA can attack at any age but usually starts affecting people between 20 and 60 years old.
• People with family members who have RA may be at an increased risk of developing the disease.

Who we are

WRAP2013 is an Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness project for working women and employers sponsored by:

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.

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 with a single-minded focus on working women. The mission of BPW Foundation is to promote systematic change by strengthening the capacity of organizations and businesses to create work environments that are inclusive and value the skills and contributions of working women, empowering them to achieve their full potential. We convene and partner with working women, employers, and policymakers to create successful workplaces that embrace and practice diversity, equity, and work-life balance.

Join WRAP 2013 on Twitter

Tell Us Your Story

Everyone feels the impact of RA differently.  Whether you’re in the workplace or not, RA dramatically affects how you have to live your life.  Many people have to completely re-think how to make a living.  Others are dealing with how to educate their employer about the disability.  Or you might be an employer who’s had to think creatively to help a valuable employee stay on the job.  Whatever your situation is, you’re not alone.  RA disproportionately affects women at a rate of three times that of men and considering, women make up nearly half the workplace, that’s a substantial impact.   This campaign is about raising awareness in and out of the workplace, with advice, support, education and ideas.

We’d love to hear from you.