Dear Editor
TOMORROW, Monday 12th October, landmarks including the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel and Glasgow Science Centre will shine blue for World Arthritis Day. But once the lights go out, the daily pain and fatigue faced by people with arthritis will remain.
Across Scotland, 1.7 million people—around one in three—live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition. Arthritis is too often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing, but that’s not the case. Scotland alone has 48,000 children and young people living with arthritis. It affects people of all ages, disrupting careers, family life and independence.
Awareness matters, but it must lead to action. Thousands have backed Arthritis UK’s call for the First Minister to introduce a dedicated national MSK Action Plan.
That means earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, better access to rehabilitation and support to help people manage their conditions and remain active.
As Arthritis UK marks its 90th anniversary, we are asking the Scottish Government to make a lasting commitment to those living with arthritis and to make MSK conditions a clinical priority.
Scotland’s landmarks are lighting up. It is time for the Government to step up.
Lauren Bennie
Head of Scotland, Arthritis UK
Edward House, 199 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EX
