Arthritis affects more than six million Canadians, making it the country’s leading cause of disability. Despite this, the condition does not receive the same level of public recognition or policy attention as other chronic diseases. In collaboration with Arthritis Society Canada, Leger Healthcare conducted a national survey of Canadians to better understand how we perceive arthritis, how it affects the workplace, and how perceptions align—or fail to align—with reality.
The survey was conducted online from September 5 to 8, 2025, with a sample of 1,624 Canadians aged 18 and older, drawn from Leger’s LEO Panel.
Chronic Disease Experience
Nearly 60% of Canadians reported having been diagnosed by a doctor with some form of chronic condition in their lifetime. This reflects lifetime diagnosis, not necessarily current prevalence. Within this, 15% (245 respondents) reported a diagnosis of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Society Canada, one in five adults has arthritis.
Public Perceptions of Disability
Although arthritis is the leading cause of disability in Canada, only 4% of Canadians identified it as such. It ranked only seventh in our survey of perceived causes of disability. By contrast, mental health conditions (25%), cardiovascular disease (16%), and cancer (16%) topped the rankings.
Experience influenced perceptions. Respondents living with arthritis ranked it as the 3rd leading cause of disability, while those without arthritis ranked injuries and diabetes higher.
Perceptions of Seriousness
The survey found that 95% of Canadians considered arthritis at least “somewhat serious”, with only 32% overall describing it as “very serious.” These figures suggest that while awareness of arthritis as a health condition is broad, its severity remains underestimated by much of the population.
Workplace Impact
The impact of arthritis on work emerged as one of the clearest findings. More than half of all respondents with arthritis reported that the disease had already affected their work or they expected it would. Among those still in the workforce, 85% said arthritis had affected—or would affect—their ability to perform their jobs.
Key workplace statistics include:
- 50% of workers with arthritis said they were comfortable discussing their needs with their employer.
- 24% reported receiving workplace accommodations.
- 18% said they had accessed workplace benefits related to arthritis.
- Only 12% described their employer as “very supportive.”
- At the same time, 65% of respondents with arthritis believed Canadian employers do not provide sufficient support.
Economic Context
The economic impact of arthritis is significant. Arthritis Community Research and Epidemiology Unit estimates the condition costs $33 billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. With prevalence expected to rise from six million to nine million Canadians by 2045, these costs are likely to increase.
For context, recent tariffs were estimated by the Parliamentary Budget Officer to reduce GDP by 1.5%, which is equivalent to $46 billion. While tariffs generate immediate attention, the long-term economic burden of arthritis is more persistent. Unlike tariffs, which may change with policy shifts, arthritis is a chronic condition with ongoing implications for workforce participation and healthcare spending.
Implications
Given the research findings, there are several potential implications for policymakers, employers, and the media:
Awareness gap: Canadians underestimate the role of arthritis as a leading cause of disability, which may influence funding and research priorities.
Workforce challenge: The high proportion of workers reporting arthritis-related impacts suggests a growing need for accommodations and workplace support.
Economic costs: With a $33 billion annual burden, arthritis represents a significant structural challenge for productivity and healthcare budgets.
Conclusion
Leger’s research confirms that arthritis is both widespread and under-recognized. While most Canadians acknowledge it as a serious condition, few identify it as the leading cause of disability. The disconnect between prevalence and perception highlights the need for better public education, more workplace support, and continued investment in research.
As Canada prepares for an aging population and a growing number of arthritis diagnoses, organizations that anticipate these challenges—whether through health policy, workplace practices, or research—will be better positioned to respond.
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from September 5 to 8, 2025, with 1,624 Canadians aged 18 or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin or error no greater than ±2.50% (19 times out of 20). With a sample of this size, the results can be considered accurate within this range. The margin of error varies for subgroups of the population: smaller sample sizes produce wider confidence intervals.
About Leger Healthcare
Leger Healthcare is the dedicated health division of Leger—the largest Canadian-owned market research and analytics firm. With offices across Canada and the U.S., our senior researchers bring therapeutic expertise and hands-on knowledge of every stage of the research cycle. Backed by two of the country’s largest proprietary healthcare panels—LEO (500,000+ patients) and LEO Medical (35,000 healthcare professionals)—we design, execute, and analyze end-to-end studies that capture real-world perspectives from both patients and clinicians. The result is actionable insights that help organizations make smarter decisions, accelerate innovation, and improve outcomes. Learn more at leger360.com/healthcare.
About Arthritis Society Canada
Arthritis Society Canada represents the six million people in Canada living with arthritis today, and the millions more who are impacted or at risk. Fuelled by the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, Arthritis Society Canada is fighting arthritis with research, advocacy, innovation, information and support. We are Canada’s largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research. We will not give up our efforts until everyone is free from the agony of arthritis. Arthritis Society Canada is accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. For more information, visit arthritis.ca.
