Arthritis Foundation of Australia

The Arthritis Foundation of Australia (AFA) is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing care, education, and research for people affected by arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. The term arthritis, meaning inflammation of the joints, may encompass several conditions or disease states, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and others. The Arthritis Foundation of Australia, which was founded in 1949, is dedicated to promoting research into the causes, control, and cure of arthritis; supporting the professional education and training of physicians and allied health professionals; and enhancing community awareness of the needs of those affected by arthritis. The foundation’s additional objectives include representing people with arthritis nationally and internationally, serving as national secretariat of affiliated state and territory foundations, and assisting affiliated foundations in promoting self-management programs for people with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation of Australia currently consists of eight state and territory affiliates.