HealthyWomen launches web-based initiative to manage RA

HealthyWomenSep 28 2011

Managing RA: The Strong Woman's Approach, is an online resource designed to educate and empower women living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), launched today at HealthyWomen.org. There are 1.3 million Americans living with RA, and women are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than men. Managing RA: The Strong Woman's Approach provides practical solutions and exercise advice specifically designed to address some of the challenges faced by women with RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly involves inflammation of the joints, including small joints in hands and feet. RA can cause painful swelling that can interrupt daily activities and may eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity if not adequately treated.

The web-based initiative was created through a partnership between HealthyWomen, the nation's leading independent health information source for women, and UCB, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical leader in the research and development of medications to treat immunology disorders. Managing RA: The Strong Woman's Approach is available on HealthyWomen.org and offers webcast videos with practical advice to help women with RA stay active and better understand their condition. To view, download and share photos, videos and program materials, click here.

"As a trusted source of health information for women, HealthyWomen is thrilled to join UCB in creating this new program to fill the gap in educating women about RA," said HealthyWomen Executive Director Beth Battaglino Cahill, RN. "Now, women have a new place to turn for comprehensive advice, information and tools for living their healthiest life with RA."

Managing RA: The Strong Woman's Approach, illustrates the impact of RA on women through the insight and advice of women with a connection to RA, including:

• Beth Battaglino Cahill, RN: HealthyWomen executive director and advocate for women's health education; serves as host of the video series.
• Vibeke Strand, MD: rheumatologist, clinical professor of immunology at Stanford University, and leader in quality of life research among women with RA; provides disease background information.
• Pamela Peeke, MD: HealthyWomen medical advisor, physician, fitness and lifestyle expert and best-selling author; describes the realities of life with RA and provides strategies for maintaining an active life.
• Chaunté Smith: wife, mother, full-time working professional shares her personal experience living with RA and demonstrates exercises that are a part of her whole body approach to disease management.

In addition, HealthyWomen.org visitors can read, watch and learn from these women about proactively managing RA by seeking appropriate treatment and staying active. RA patients can then visit www.ReachBeyondRA.com to create their own personalized exercise plan based on their individual disease symptoms.

"UCB is committed to giving patients the tools and resources they need to stay active - not only physically active, but active in the management of their condition," said Kathleen Bos, MD, Vice President, U.S. Medical Affairs, UCB, Inc. "Every element of Managing RA: The Strong Woman's Approach has been designed to help women with RA to do just that."

"Though this is a lifelong disease, women with RA should know that early, aggressive treatment can even help prevent or delay joint damage and regular exercise can help relieve pain from flare-ups," said Dr. Peeke.