The Swedish Rheumatism Association
- the non-profit organisation for people with rheumatic diseases
The Swedish Rheumatism Association [Svenska Reumatikerförbundet] is a non-profit organisation made up of, and catering for, people with rheumatic diseases. We pursue matters in the community, provide everyday support and finance research to contribute to solving the riddle of rheumatism. The Swedish Rheumatism Association’s goal is social development that gives all people with rheumatic diseases full participation and equality in all areas of society.
- More than one million Swedes have some form of rheumatic disease.
- Rheumatic illnesses comprise around 80 diagnoses and involve various diseases of the locomotor system.
- The chief diagnoses in Sweden are osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Ankylosing Spondylitis (also called Bechterew’s disease), rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, gout and other crystal-induced forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and Systemic Lupus.
- Rheumatic diseases affect joints, the back, ligaments, connective tissue, muscles and bones.
- More women than men have rheumatism.
- Children can get rheumatism. About 200 fall ill every year in Sweden.
- The causes of rheumatic diseases are usually unknown.
- Rheumatic diseases cost Swedish society SEK 27 billion per year.
54,000 members
Sweden has over a million people with rheumatic diseases, and about 54,000 of them are members of the Swedish Rheumatism Association. There are 200 local branches, divided up amongst 24 districts over the whole country.
The branches organise studies and educational measures and give members the chance of personal development. Social contacts and a sense of belonging are created in the branches. The members also get moral and practical support from the organisation.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association runs many projects
As a member of the Swedish Rheumatism Association you have the possibility of achieving personal development by taking part in the association’s study activities.
”Use your Inner Strength” is a self-help method whereby you can personally influence your illness and take control of your own life.
”Patient Partners/RA Instructors” involves specially trained patients instructing healthcare staff about RA (rheumatoid arthritis) in hands, wrists, feet and ankles. A unique chance for doctors and others to receive training from those who actually have the disease. Read more about the project »
”On Your Terms” gives participants the opportunity for distance learning. The courses are adapted to individual requirements, and participants tailor their hours of study to their own daily schedule.
The Osteoarthritis Communicator (OAC) project ended in 2007. We now have an Osteoarthritis Communicator training program. The OAC program in presently integrated in the Reuma Informatörsprojektet (we only have info in Swedish about it). In the OAC project we have trained osteoarthritis patients to become Osteoarthritis Communicators, developed written instructions for how to train osteoarthritis patients to become Osteoarthritis Communicators and developed a study material about osteoarthritis to be used in professional training of physiotherapists. . Read more about the project »
Staffing companies – a path to employment
Starting 2008, the Swedish Rheumatism Association is carrying out a three-year project called Staffing companies – a path to employment. The project aims to draw up methods that in the future will lead to employment for more people with rheumatic illnesses or illnesses/other disorders of the digestive system.
This is done by us, in conjunction with staffing companies, developing, testing and disseminating new courses of action that make it easier for people with disabilities to establish or, alternatively, re-establish themselves in the labour market.
Our method ”Bemanning med plus” (Plus staffing) means that the staffing companies we co-operate with recruit and employ people from our target group. By using hiring instead of employment the entry and re-entry into the labour market is made easier for these people.
Information about Plus Staffing in pdf-format »
Information in Swedish about the project »
International work
The Swedish Rheumatism Association is part of the Nordic Rheumatism Council [Nordiska Reumarådet NRR], the European organisation European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the international organisation Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI).
The Swedish Organization of Youth with Rheumatism
The Swedish Organization of Youth with Rheumatism [Unga Reumatiker] is an independent national organisation for children and young people aged 7-35. The Swedish Rheumatism Association and the Swedish Organization of Youth with Rheumatism collaborate closely in all mutual matters.
A hospital
The Swedish Rheumatism Association is working closely with Transmedica, owners of the hospital Spenshult. The hospital offers specialised and highly qualified care for rheumatism sufferers. Spenshult runs a telephone advice line which provides answers to questions regarding rheumatic diseases from members, care professionals and the general public. The hospital also organises further training for different professional groups as well as research into rheumatology.
The Rheumatism Fund
Treating a disease and finding the original cause requires knowledge. Knowledge about the different rheumatic diseases is obtained through research into origins, symptoms, effective treatment and rehabilitation, drugs etc.
Despite the progress hitherto, most rheumatic diseases still cannot be cured; the symptoms can merely be alleviated. At the same time, research now offers greater possibilities than ever before of finding the reasons why rheumatic diseases occur, and thus also finding an effective way of curing and perhaps even preventing them.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association has a fund - the Rheumatism Fund that collects and administers gifts and donations. Through this fund the Swedish Rheumatism Association contributed about 20 million SEK in 2001 an important contribution that allows the continuation of the extremely important research into rheumatic diseases.
Support the Rheumatism Fund
Postal giro account 90 03 19-5 Bank giro account 900-3195
Thank you for your gift! When paying via the Internet, please use our bank giro account.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association is influential
The Swedish Rheumatism Association influences society and decision-makers. Important areas are care and rehabilitation, education and work, and social policy.
Care and rehabilitation
The Swedish Rheumatism Association works for
- the right care and the right rehabilitation at the right time for every person with a rheumatic disease,
- early diagnosis and treatment,
- a stronger position for each individual.
Education and work
The Swedish Rheumatism Association strives to
- make education as accessible to people with rheumatic diseases as it is to others,
- give everyone with rheumatic diseases a chance to find, get and keep a job.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association has amongst other things agreed on a labour market policy programme.
Social policy
The Swedish Rheumatism Association works for
- guaranteed financial security in the case of illness and reduced mobility,
- respectful and skilled treatment of everyone with rheumatic diseases on the part of the social authorities.
Throughout Sweden
Locally and regionally the districts and the local branches work to influence their municipalities and county councils.
