An early diagnosis of juvenile arthritis (JA) could prevent lifelong disability, yet low awareness of the disease — even among healthcare professionals — means many children suffer permanent joint and eye damage before they’re diagnosed.
In Australia, an estimated 30,000 children and young adults under the age of 24, live with JA, a painful autoimmune disease that restricts daily activities, affects education, and often leads to social isolation.
Shining a light on JA
To raise awareness and support early diagnosis, the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, has become Patron of Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA).
Ms Mostyn is hosting families at Government House in Canberra during this year’s Juvenile Arthritis Week (16-23 March).
“I have accepted patronage of JAFA to help shine a light on juvenile arthritis.
“As Patron, I stand alongside these brave and resilient children and their families.
“I look forward to supporting JAFA as they raise greater awareness to support earlier diagnosis to achieve better outcomes,” the Governor-General said.
Early diagnosis vital
Alice Hill, mother of seven-year-old Charlie Walter, who was diagnosed with JA at the age of four, spoke about delayed diagnosis.
“The road to diagnosis for Charlie was painfully slow.
“Our experience highlights the desperate need for more funding to train healthcare professionals in recognising the signs and to provide more rheumatology teams to deliver the specialised care that children with this condition deserve,” she said.
Dr Jeff Chaitow, paediatric rheumatologist and Chair of JAFA’s Medical and Scientific Panel, emphasised the urgency of early diagnosis.
“Major advances in treatment, early diagnosis and treatment minimises potential long-term damage to the joints and has an improved long-term outcome for the child,” he said.
The misdiagnosis merry-go-round
JAFA’s founder, Professor Ruth Colagiuri AM says the organisation is “working hard to support health professionals to recognise and refer JA early”.
“We must rescue these children, and their distressed parents, from the misdiagnosis merry-go-round and get them onto treatment early to give them the best possible chance at living their best possible lives.
“JAFA sincerely thanks the Governor-General for her invaluable assistance in raising awareness of this under-recognised childhood disease.”
For more information on juvenile arthritis, visit jafa.org.au.
