Apologies for any cross-posting, I thought this was
very relevant and interesting information.


http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030904/dcth006_1.html

Press Release Source: Research!America
Thursday September 4, 12:00 pm ET

Chronic Pain Pervasive in All Age Groups, New Study
Shows
More than Half of All Americans Suffer Chronic or
Recurring Pain


WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- New poll results
show that more than half of all Americans (57 percent)
have suffered chronic or recurrent pain in the past
year. Surprisingly, younger people (18-34) were only
slightly less likely than older Americans to be in
pain. The impact of pain is experienced by three out
of every four surveyed (76 percent), who are either
suffering from pain themselves or have a close family
member or friend who suffers.

Research!America, a not-for-profit, public education
and advocacy alliance, sponsored the nationwide survey
timed to be released during September, which is
National Pain Awareness Month.

Other key findings:

* Of the 57 percent who suffered from chronic or
recurrent pain in the
past year, 62 percent have been in pain for more
than a year and 40
percent report being in pain all the time.

* Four out of 10 (39 percent) chronic pain
sufferers have had to make
major adjustments in their lives, including
taking disability leave from
work; changing jobs; requiring help with daily
activities such as
bathing, dressing and eating; or moving into
housing that is easier to
manage.

* 67 percent of those surveyed believe a cure for
chronic pain is at least
10 years away.

* 57 percent are willing to pay one dollar more
each week to increase
federal funding for pain research.

* 42 percent say American culture views pain as
more of a weakness than a
misfortune.


"This survey should serve as a wake-up call to all
Americans -- including our elected leaders -- that
chronic pain is a problem of epidemic proportions in
our country," said Mary Woolley, president of
Research!America.

James Campbell, MD, chair of the American Pain
Foundation, agrees that the survey reveals a
widespread misunderstanding of both the prevalence and
the debilitating effects of pain in our society.
"These poll results show that pain is a pandemic
health problem," Campbell said. "In a society where we
can do heart transplants and treat AIDS, severe pain
should no longer be acceptable. Perhaps most
importantly, the poll demonstrates that pain research
needs more emphasis and funding so that we can improve
the quality of life for countless Americans."

Campbell is also professor of neurosurgery and
director of the Blauststein Pain Treatment Center at
Johns Hopkins University Medical Center.

The nationwide random telephone survey was conducted
for Research!America among 1,004 adults July 15-19,
2003, by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The data's
margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points among all
adults at the 95 percent confidence level. For
additional survey results and/or background and
methodology information, contact Research!America at
703-739-2577, ext. 43, or visit
www.researchamerica.org.

Research!America is dedicated to making medical and
health research -- including research to prevent
disease, disability and injury and to promote health
-- a much higher national priority. Through the
strength of its diverse and far-reaching membership,
Research!America provides a unified link between the
voice of the citizens who strongly support research
and local, state and national opinion leaders and
decision makers.

---------------------------------------------------
Source: Research!America

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