About ACPA
The Impact of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a critical public health problem. It has a tremendous ripple effect, touching not only those who have pain, but also their families, employers, and communities.
The number-one cause of adult disability in the United States, chronic pain affects one in three Americans and is defined as pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an illness or injury.
In addition to the physical and emotional toll it takes on people, chronic pain is a serious economic problem. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, chronic pain costs $100 billion annually in lost workdays, medical expenses, and other benefit costs.
The History of ACPA
Since 1980, the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) has been the place to go for the 86 million people-about 30 percent of Americans-who suffer from this debilitating condition. In the 24 years since the organization was founded with a single support group in a Pittsburgh suburb, it has grown into an international organization with active groups in all 50 states, Canada, Australia, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brazil, and Russia. Its grassroots network of self-help groups and other resources offer support and education to those with chronic pain and their families and friends. In 2005, the ACPA will mark its 25 th year as an incorporated tax-exempt organization.The Resources and Network of ACPA
The ACPA is the most comprehensive and well-established self-help network dedicated to helping people with chronic pain. While chronic pain is the organization's focus, the ACPA and its programs touch those suffering from long-term acute pain, such as cancer pain, as well.
| • | Facilitating peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families; |
| • | Generating awareness among the health care community, policymakers, and the public at large about issues related to living with chronic pain; and |
| • | Advocating a multidisciplinary approach to pain management that helps people with chronic pain regain greater control of their daily lives. |
You can learn more at the ACPA's Web site: www.theacpa.org.
You can also download the ACPA brochure in PDF format by clicking here.