Dear Neighbor,I am writing today about arthritis – an important issue that effects millions of Americans, myself included.Arthritis is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects the joints of the body, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Arthritis affects an estimated 24 percent of American adults – that’s 58.5 million people. It’s a staggering number, but it probably understates the severity of the problem. Many Americans view aches and pains as a common part of aging, and don’t seek out treatment for what could, in fact, be diagnosable arthritis. That underscores the need for continued investment in research and development of new treatments for this condition.Osteoarthritis – the most common form of the disease – represents a substantial burden on us as individuals, on our health care system, and on our society as a whole. The loss of function in hands, hips, or knees, which is often associated with this degenerative joint disease, can severely impede quality of life. If left untreated, arthritis can lead to joint damage, cardiovascular damage, and inflammation that spreads throughout the body.The economic toll of osteoarthritis is equally concerning, with an estimated cost exceeding $136 billion annually. Some 8 million working-age adults report a limited ability to work because of their arthritis. Despite its prevalence, effective treatments remain limited, and existing options, such as invasive joint replacement surgery, are not without significant drawbacks.That’s why I am committed to supporting initiatives like the ARPA-H Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis (NITRO) program that aims to advance the field of bone and cartilage regeneration, as well as the development of replacement joints using human cells, with the goal of curing osteoarthritis.The Biden Administration has also requested $688 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2024 for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. This funding supports a range of research projects, including basic science to understand the mechanisms of the disease, clinical trials to test new therapies and treatments, and translational research to bring new discoveries from the lab to the patient.As always, my office is here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.