Arthritis (“arth” meaning joint, “itis” meaning inflammation) and related conditions comprise a large group of disorders affecting the joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and other components of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system.i
For more information about arthritis and its impact on Canadians, please see ACREU’s Key Facts About Arthritis.
The Arthritis Community Research & Evaluation Unit (ACREU) is an interdisciplinary research unit founded in 1991 with major funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health System Link Research Unit grant scheme. ACREU is a primary source for reliable data on arthritis in Canada. Research topics include arthritis and employment, primary care management, access to specialists, joint replacement surgery and rehabilitation service delivery. Rehabilitation was one of the original research themes at ACREU, and it continues to be an important research focus. Research priorities are influenced by health priorities in Ontario and Canada.
Although arthritis is the primary focus, ACREU’s work is also concerned with musculoskeletal research in general, including back disorders and disorders of the bone (e.g., osteoporosis). The Unit brings together specialists in epidemiology, rheumatology, family and community medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and the social sciences. ACREU investigators were major contributors to the first-ever, federally funded national study, Arthritis in Canada (2003) as well as the Arthritis and Related Conditions in Ontario: ICES Research Atlas (1998 and second edition 2004).
ACREU’s research is carried out in partnership with The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division (TASOD) and its Consultation and Rehabilitation Service (CARS), a community-based therapy program.
ACREU’s partners include: The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division (TASOD); Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI), and the Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation.
To ameliorate the adverse impact of arthritis on individuals, their families and the population through comprehensive research leading to the development of innovative programs and policies.
ACREU is the leading source for:
ACREU provides data on population and health services research to The Arthritis Society, Canadian Arthritis Network, and other national arthritis groups. ACREU collaborates with and provides consultation to the Public Health Agency of Canada on arthritis surveillance and provides information to the Ontario and other provincial ministries of health to inform healthcare policy and planning. ACREU’s work has been instrumental in changing the profile of arthritis in Canada. ACREU continues to provide data that compliment both national and international research on health services and client-centred care as related to arthritis.
ACREU receives funding from a combination of peer-reviewed grants (e.g., Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Canadian Arthritis Network) and independent contracts. ACREU also receives support from the University Health Network.
ACREU maintains close links with The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division (TASOD) and receives some additional funding from this source to support an ongoing partnership around areas of mutual interest. TASOD is a not-for profit organization devoted solely to the funding and promoting of research, client care and public education in arthritis. It is a semi-autonomous division of The Arthritis Society (TAS), which is a Canada-wide organization.
