World Osteoarthritis Day

17 September 2025, World Osteoarthritis Day, is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of this chronic joint disease that affects 595 million people worldwide. In Spain, 7 million people suffer from OA (Osteoarthritis), with prevalence increasing with age. In France, 15 million people suffer from osteoarthritis.

World Osteoarthritis Day

World Osteoarthritis Day was created in response to a growing need for recognition and awareness of osteoarthritis, which causes PAIN, STIFFNESS and LOSS OF MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.

Its aim is to inform the general public, patients and healthcare professionals about the impact of this condition and the means of preventing or treating it.

Our three key messages about osteoarthritis:

• Although osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions, it is still often underestimated and confused with other forms of rheumatism.
• Contrary to popular belief, osteoarthritis does not only affect older people: early forms can appear from the age of 40 onwards, particularly due to genetic factors, being overweight or excessive physical activity.
• Osteoarthritis is treated with a tailored, personalised approach that includes rehabilitation sessions, a healthy lifestyle with an anti-inflammatory diet, resuming physical activity such as walking and, of course, pain medication (first-line) and specific drugs for osteoarthritis, such as slow-acting anti-arthritic drugs (SAADs), including chondroitin and sulphur, among others.

On World Osteoarthritis Day and throughout the year, we support and accompany people with osteoarthritis through numerous initiatives organised in our regions:

• Conferences led by experts and patient ambassadors to provide information on medical advances.
• Awareness campaigns on social media and in the media to raise awareness of the disease.
• Practical workshops on pain management, nutrition, and adapted physical exercises.

These actions aim to improve understanding of the impact of the disease and encourage patients to adopt appropriate strategies to improve their quality of life.

According to Françoise Alliot-Launois, Chair of AFLAR, “the voice of patients with osteoarthritis is essential. We share and work together with the OA Patients Force to advance knowledge of osteoarthritis and improve the patient journey with new treatment solutions.”

Dr Josep Vergés, president of OAFI, adds: “Prevention and patient education are essential to improving their quality of life. It is a pleasure to collaborate with AFLAR in improving the treatment of osteoarthritis and other conditions such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia. As part of our shared mission to find solutions to this condition, together with AFLAR and the OA Patients Force, we will meet next October at the 9th OAFI International Congress, focusing on joint health, on 22 and 23 October in Barcelona.”

World Osteoarthritis Day reminds us that together – patients, associations and healthcare professionals – we can change perceptions of the disease, promote prevention and bring about lasting improvements in the quality of life of millions of people.

Contact:

AFLAR

The French Association for the Fight Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) is the only patient association, founded in 1928 and recognised as a public utility since 1937, representing the voice of 20 million French people. It is the only patient association dedicated to all rheumatic diseases: osteoarthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, spondyloarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, pain, etc.

Address: 2 rue Bougon – 75013 Paris

Tel.: +33 145 80 30 00 – @ : contact@aflar.org

Web: www.aflar.org

Osteoarthritis Foundation International (OAFI) is the first and only non-profit foundation dedicated to people suffering from osteoarthritis and osteoporosis worldwide. Since 2016, it has been leading the fight against osteoarthritis by promoting education, prevention, treatment and research in the field of joint health, and offering solutions to people affected by this disease.

Address: C/ Tuset 19, 3-2, 08006 Barcelona
Tel.: +34 931 50 40 15
Email: comunicacion@oafifoundation.com
Web: www.oafifoundation.com

Illustration by Salman Ahmad on Unsplash