One in Ten (8%) Canadians Rank Arthritis as Disease Most Frequently Associated With Workplace Absences or Long-Term Disability

Toronto, ON - One in ten (8%) Canadians say that arthritis is the disease they most frequently associate with workplace absences, with these Canadians placing arthritis ahead of even cancer or heart conditions, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Arthritis Society.

Overall, three in ten (30%) Canadians rank arthritis among the top-three diseases they believe are most frequently associated with workplace absences or long-term disability, placing it behind cancer (69%), heart conditions (67%) and diabetes (33%). However, more Canadians ranked arthritis in their top-three diseases than chose asthma (29%), multiple sclerosis (27%), cerebral palsy (16%), cystic fibrosis (12%), HIV/AIDS (9%) and epilepsy (7%).

In fact, thinking about how arthritis affects patients at home, at work and at play, nearly one half (47%) of Canadians believe that arthritis has the most major physical impact on patients `performing in the workplace', while two in five (39%) believe the most major impact is when `managing home/family life'. Just one in ten (13%) Canadians think that arthritis impacts the lives of patients most when they're `engaging in social activities'.

Two in three (63%) Canadians say that they are `familiar' (15% very/48% somewhat) with arthritis, including its risk factors, treatments, symptoms or complications. In fact, most Canadians (77%) `disagree' (25% strongly/52% somewhat) that `with advances in health care (joint replacements, drugs), arthritis is not a pressing health concern in Canada'.

That awareness for arthritis is relatively high is perhaps not surprising, considering that 15% say that they have been treated for or been diagnosed with arthritis in the last three years, the proportion of whom increases to 28% among those aged 55 and older. In fact, arthritis is so prevalent, that more Canadians say they've been treated or diagnosed with arthritis than any of the other diseases studied, including diabetes (11%), asthma (10%), heart conditions (8%), cancer (3%), epilepsy (1%), multiple sclerosis (1%), cystic fibrosis (0%), cerebral palsy (0%) or HIV/AIDS (0%).

While the self-perceived awareness of arthritis is quite high, some Canadians would benefit from further education on how it can impact the lives of everyday Canadians. While a majority (73%) `disagree' (31% strongly/42% somewhat) that `arthritis primarily affects older Canadians past working age', most (64%) `disagree' (15% strongly/48% somewhat) that `workers with arthritis are able to perform the same duties as their co-workers'. Furthermore, three quarters (75%) `disagree' (21% strongly/54% somewhat) that `workers with arthritis don't' require special accommodation by their employer'.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between July 6 and 9, 2010, on behalf of the Arthritis Society. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 adults from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Anna Little
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

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Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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