The Provincial NDP is calling for arthritis to be officially designated as a chronic illness.
The party’s candidate in Fredericton North Brian Duplessis says such a designation could result in earlier diagnosis through greater awareness and training.
It’s estimated 125 thousand people in the province or about one in five New Brunswickers are afflicted, costing the provincial economy 750 million dollars a year. This includes 445 million in lost productivity and disability along with 297 million in direct healthcare costs.
