What We Do

IMHA is the champion and primary funder of strategic initiatives for Canadian health research across six research foci: arthritis, musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation, bone, skeletal muscle, skin and oral health. Each of these areas is equally important and offers significant opportunities for advancement.

Our vision is to sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis and musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions. Advances in treatment and prevention across all six research foci provide a formidable means of achieving this vision.

MSK diseases and conditions represent approximately 29 per cent of all the world's chronic illnesses. According to a recent Public Health Agency of Canada report, more than 4.2 million Canadians aged 15 years or older were affected by arthritis in 2007-2008. In 2000, the economic burden of musculoskeletal diseases was the highest of any group of diseases, at $22.3 billion. With the aging of our population, the incidence of MSK-related diseases and conditions is on the rise, affecting more than half of the Canadian population over the age of 75.

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