National Campaign Launches to Improve Gout Awareness and Care

Author: The Arthritis Foundation
Published: 2010/09/14 - Updated: 2025/05/27
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Category Topic: Disability Awareness - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information details the launch of the Gout Living campaign, an educational initiative by the Arthritis Foundation in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, designed to raise awareness and improve management of gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men, affecting approximately six million Americans. The campaign features the first national public service announcements about gout, aiming to encourage proactive health management and ensure that individuals living with gout can continue to enjoy daily activities and special moments.

Authoritative and practical, the campaign provides accessible resources such as a gout attack tracker, communication tips for discussing gout with healthcare providers, and support information for families and caregivers, making it especially valuable for seniors and people with disabilities who are disproportionately affected by arthritis-related conditions. The Arthritis Foundation's leadership in research, public health, and policy, combined with Takeda's expertise in pharmaceutical development, underscores the reliability and utility of the information, making it a helpful resource for anyone seeking to understand or manage gout better - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The Arthritis Foundation and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., has announced the launch of a new educational campaign, Gout Living, to help increase understanding and encourage better management of gout. The campaign, which includes the first-ever gout public service announcements (PSAs), aims to encourage those living with the disease to be proactive about their health. The PSAs, available via television, radio and print outlets, emphasize that living with gout doesn't have to mean missing out on life's special moments.

Main Content

Gout is a chronic, metabolic disease affecting approximately 6 million Americans and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men. The underlying cause of gout is hyperuricemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.

A gout attack, or "flare," occurs when excess uric acid in the body begins to form crystals, triggering an inflammatory response in the joints or soft tissue causing extreme discomfort. While gout can affect several different joints, including elbows, knees and wrists, patients most commonly experience attacks in the big toe. The pain of a gout attack may interfere with everyday activities, including work and family events.

In addition to recommended diet and lifestyle changes, experts recognize that achieving and maintaining a healthy uric acid level in the body of less than 6.0 mg/dL can help reduce the risk of future attacks.

As part of the initiative, educational information and valuable resources are available on the Gout Living website. The website features tools like a gout attack tracker, tips to start a conversation about gout with a doctor, and information for family, friends and caregivers of people with gout, as well as how to locate a local Arthritis Foundation office.

"Gout is a common yet often overlooked arthritic disease, and the Arthritis Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those with arthritis and related diseases, including gout," says John Hardin, M.D., vice president of research of the Arthritis Foundation. "GoutLiving.org provides people with gout and their loved ones with information about ways to manage gout and keep it under control. Learning about this chronic illness is an important first step, and we are excited to be able to offer new and valuable resources to the gout community."

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and gout, a painful and chronic disease, is one of them. It is actually the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men and affects an estimated 6 million people in the United States.

"Takeda is committed to increasing understanding of gout and fostering meaningful dialog about the disease," says Robert Spanheimer, M.D., vice president of medical and scientific affairs at Takeda. "We are pleased to partner with the Arthritis Foundation to provide tools and resources needed to increase gout education and enhance communication around gout management."

The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The collaboration between a leading health nonprofit and a major pharmaceutical company to address gout through education and advocacy highlights the importance of accessible, evidence-based resources for chronic disease management. By focusing on practical tools and public engagement, this initiative sets a standard for supporting not only those living with gout but also their broader support networks, ultimately fostering a more informed and proactive approach to managing disabling conditions - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by The Arthritis Foundation and published on 2010/09/14, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

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Cite This Page: The Arthritis Foundation. (2010, September 14 - Last revised: 2025, May 27). National Campaign Launches to Improve Gout Awareness and Care. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved October 31, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/gout-awareness.php

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