Understanding the Impact of RMDs
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are among the most prevalent, disabling, burdensome, and costly non-communicable diseases, affecting more than 120 million people of all ages across Europe. While healthcare became a prominent topic of international discussion after the COVID-19 pandemic, RMDs remain largely under-recognised and insufficiently addressed throughout Europe and beyond, despite the impact they create for patients and society.
RMDs comprise more than 200 conditions and are the leading cause of physical disability in Europe, accounting for over 50% of all Years Lived with Disability (YLDs). They include inflammatory diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and gout.
Beyond affecting mobility, independence, and quality of life, RMDs are also associated with serious comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Greater awareness, earlier diagnosis, and improved access to care can help people manage their condition more effectively and achieve better health outcomes.
Our Campaign Theme: Achieve Your Dreams
Building on the momentum of World Arthritis Day 2025, Achieve Your Dreams continues as the campaign theme for 2026. This initiative celebrates the goals, hopes, and aspirations that inspire people affected by rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) to keep moving forward. It also highlights the changes needed to help make those aspirations a reality, from earlier diagnosis and better access to treatment to greater understanding, inclusion, and support.
Different countries. Different lives. Different dreams.
One shared hope: to achieve them.
Living with an RMD can bring daily challenges, many of which are invisible to others. Pain, fatigue, uncertainty, and concerns about work, family life, and financial security can affect how people live, learn, and thrive. Yet despite these challenges, people affected by RMDs continue to dream, set goals, and strive for a better future.
At EULAR, we aim to amplify the voices of people affected by RMDs and encourage collaboration among patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and policymakers. By sharing experiences, listening to one another, and working together, we can help turn aspirations into action and build a future where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Dreams and Aspirations from the EULAR PAED, HPR and EMEUNET Communities
Healthcare professionals and researchers are also driven by dreams for a better future. They envision earlier diagnosis, more effective and personalised treatments, a world where children can grow up free from lifelong disease, and societies that are more inclusive and understanding of people living with RMDs.
As part of the Achieve Your Dreams campaign, members of the EULAR PAED, HPR and EMEUNET communities have shared their hopes for the future of RMD care. Discover the dreams that inspire their work.
WAD Activities
Learn how countries around the world helped raise awareness for World Arthritis Day 2025 through inspiring initiatives.
Read here
WAD Webinar
Watch our 2025 webinar “Achieve Your Dreams” where our four EULAR Communities (EMEUNET, HPR, PARE, PAED) come together to share their dreams and visions.
Watch here
WAD Podcast
Listen to our 2025 Podcast “Achieve Your Dreams”, where members of Young PARE and EMEUNET share their dreams and visions for the future. Stay tuned as we continue the conversation with a new episode in September 2026.
Toolkit 2026
Coming soon! Everything you need for WAD 2025 in one toolkit, including EULAR’s key campaign messages, social media content, and the official logo.