About the Indiana Chapter

The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.

 

Organizational Structure

  • The Indiana Chapter is located in Indianapolis. It has three additional branches in Evansville, South Bend and Fort Wayne
  • The Indiana Chapter is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of up to 25 volunteers with diverse backgrounds who apply their experience to establish the strategic direction, policies and budget for Foundation efforts
  • The Indiana Chapter is supported by nine paid staff members statewide

Statewide Impact

  • Arthritis affects more than 1.4 million adults and 6,400 kids in Indiana alone
  • 30% of adults in Indiana have arthritis according to the Centers for Disease Control
  • Arthritis costs the state of Indiana more than $562 million dollars a year according to the State Department of Health. As the state’s population continues to age, the cost of arthritis is expected to increase
  • Arthritis contributed to 21,918 hospitalizations in Indiana in 2004 alone according to the State Health Department

Services Provided

  • Research: The Arthritis Foundation is the largest not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, advancing cutting-edge research with the hopes of finding a cure for arthritis.
  • Public Health: The Arthritis Foundation aims to increase public awareness of arthritis as the leading cause of disability and an important public health problem, prevent arthritis whenever possible, promote early diagnosis and appropriate disease management and to develop and access the resources people with arthritis need to cope with their disease
  • Public Policy: The Arthritis Foundation works to advance critical legislative policy issues. The Arthritis Foundation also works with key public and private entities to ensure a better quality of life for the millions of people with arthritis