Local MPs visit RACE

Alison Thewliss MP, Bill Kidd MSP and Carol Monaghan MP visited the Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence (RACE) on Friday 9 February to learn about the impact of arthritis on their local constituents and the current investment in arthritis research across Scotland.

The Centre, which is funded by charity Arthritis Research UK, investigates the causes of and potential treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, a painful autoimmune disease which affects over 400,000 people in the UK. Data analysed by the charity reveals that nearly 37,000 people in Scotland have rheumatoid arthritis, with 8,000 of those living in Glasgow and Clyde.

The impact of rheumatoid arthritis and other types arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, on society and the economy is considerable. Together, these conditions are the largest single cause of workplace absence in the UK, resulting in 30.8 million working days lost each year.

Arthritis Research UK are working with politicians across the spectrum to help them shape the research and policy agendas, so that people with arthritis can live fulfilling lives.

First published: 6 March 2018

<< News