About Us

The Alliance for Gout Awareness works to reduce stigma and empower patients by improving public understanding of gout.

While gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, the disease is still underrecognized and misunderstood.

Gout leads to swollen joints and sudden, intensely painful attacks that can be debilitating. It is a serious medical condition that, left untreated, can result in more frequent or enduring attacks. It can also increase patients’ risk for other serious medical conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke.

Busting myths and misconceptions

The long-held misconception of gout – the “disease of kings” – ignores the role of genetics in disease development.

Reducing stigma

Social stigma reflects the need for improved education. Affected patients, too embarrassed to seek treatment, may suffer in silence.

Providing resources for managing gout

Appropriate medication and lifestyle can help control symptoms.

Empowering patients

Greater awareness is critical to ensure that patients can successfully manage their disease.

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Community, Events and Patient Empowerment Forums

For many patients, living with gout can feel isolating. Friends and family may not understand what you’re going through, and misconceptions around the condition sometimes make people reluctant to talk about their experience. But having a support network is important.

Founded by patient advocate Gary Ho and physician Dr. Christopher Parker, the Gout Support Group of America serves as an online community for those living with gout. The support group works to improve the lives of people living with gout through wellness education, empowerment, and support from peers.

Members of the group can ask questions, share their experiences and seek advice from other people who understand what it’s like to live with gout.

Join the Gout Support Group of America

Our Members

Alliance members collaborate on educational materials and support resources.

Member Features

Learn more about our members.

November 1, 2023

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the American Kidney Fund (AKF) as this month’s featured member. The American Kidney Fund works on behalf of 37 million Americans living with kidney disease by supporting families and patients through prevention, disease management, financial assistance for treatment and transplant, clinical research, and advocacy.

“The American Kidney Fund is proud to work with the Alliance for Gout Awareness to provide patients with the educational resources they need to comprehensively address their health challenges,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of American Kidney Fund. “There is an evident link between kidney disease and gout, which is why this partnership is important for patients living with both.”

AKF was founded in 1971, when the cost of dialysis would have bankrupted most American families. The organization, which recently celebrated 50 years of fighting for patients and families, has assisted more than 2 million low-income kidney failure patients since its founding.

The American Kidney Fund’s vision is a world without kidney disease. The organization believes every kidney patient should have access to health care, and every person at risk for kidney disease should be empowered to prevent it.

To learn more, visit www.kidneyfund.org.

April 1, 2022

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) as a coalition member. APMA is dedicated to promoting foot and ankle health, member service, and professional excellence.

“The American Podiatric Medical Association proudly serves alongside the Alliance for Gout Awareness to continue to advance the growth and stability of podiatric medicine and increase awareness of gout and its impact on patients,” Dyane Tower, director of clinical affairs and senior medical director at APMA. “We will continue to support patients with public education and legislative advocacy.”

APMA advances and advocates for the specialty of podiatric medicine and surgery for the benefit of its members and the health of the public. The Association supports patients with helpful tools to find the right podiatrist, understand common foot and ankle conditions, and prepare for their appointments. It also provides helpful resources to support new podiatric physicians and surgeons and drives research to advance the practice of evidence-based medicine.

In addition to its support for member podiatrists, APMA also advocates for patient issues related to Medicare, private insurance and health care reform.

April 5, 2023

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the Fundación Puertorriqueña de Enfermedades Reumáticas, or Fundación FER, as a coalition member. Fundación FER’s mission is education, research, support and empowerment of patients with rheumatic conditions.

“We strive to help patients with rheumatic conditions achieve a healthier, more active and productive life,” says Griselle Lugo, Executive Director of Fundación FER. “By raising awareness with the Alliance for Gout Awareness we promote education, research and support of patients living with gout and other rheumatic conditions.”

Fundación FER disseminates information related to rheumatology across Puerto Rico through the radio, videos and articles. Every Saturday morning, patients can tune into Radio Isla 1320 AM, Radioisla.tv and Facebook Live for their radio program “Hablemos de Reumatología.” The program features discussions on topics related to rheumatology. They also host a yearly rheumatic patient convention called ReumaExpo. The event offers live and streaming conferences with local rheumatologists who discuss the latest in treatment and patient wellness.

Fundación FER also provides an online directory listing rheumatologists and pediatric rheumatologists across the island so patients can easily find a doctor in their area.

Learn more at https://www.fundacionfer.org/.

March 1, 2022

The Global Healthy Living Foundation, a member of the Alliance for Gout Awareness, is dedicated to supporting and empowering people with chronic illness.

The Global Healthy Living Foundation makes a difference in patients’ lives by expanding access to care, educating the community about diagnosis, and encouraging early and innovative medical intervention. In addition to its work with arthritis, GHLF also supports patients living with conditions such as migraine disease, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease.

Most recently, the Global Healthy Living Foundation updated their gout patient guidelines, A Patient’s Guide to Gout, which are available in English and Spanish. This updated version covers immunomodulation for gout, as well as the basics of gout with clear, simple answers to many questions about managing symptoms and treatments to prevent long-term complications. The foundation also launched a new podcast, The Gout Show, to raise awareness of one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed forms of arthritis: gout.

“I am proud to be a part of the Global Heathy Living Foundation, where we strive daily to empower communities of people living with chronic illness by creating greater awareness and breaking down the barriers patients face,” says Dr. Daniel I. Hernandez, director of medical affairs and Hispanic outreach.

May 2, 2022

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the Gout Education Society as a coalition member. Formed in September 2005, the Gout Education Society has long been dedicated to raising awareness about gout—the most common form of inflammatory arthritis—and improving the overall quality of care for gout patients.

“The Gout Education Society proudly stands alongside the Alliance for Gout Awareness in continuing our efforts to educate and spread awareness of this serious and painful disease,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, MD, MACP, MACR, chairman and CEO of the Gout Education Society. “We strive to make a difference in the lives of patients by offering accurate and timely information to help them navigate the best possible care throughout their journey with gout.”

The Gout Education Society offers a variety of complimentary resources for both those living with gout and for medical professionals who treat it. The resources are aimed at improving quality of care and minimizing the burden of gout. The Gout Education Society is committed not only to raising awareness about the growing number of patients with gout, but also to making sure more patients receive a proper diagnosis and ongoing, necessary treatment. Research has shown that just 10% of people with gout get the care they need.

While the Gout Education Society provides gout education year-round, the society places a special emphasis on Gout Awareness Day, which the society founded in 2006. Gout Awareness Day occurs annually during National Arthritis Awareness Month on May 22.

For more information, visit GoutEducation.org

June 2, 2022

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the Gout Support Group of America as a featured member. The Gout Support Group of America was founded by in 2015 by patient advocate Gary Ho and physician Christopher Parker, DO, to support people living with gout. This month, the Gout Support Group of America launched as an official nonprofit.

“We are proud to work alongside the Alliance for Gout Awareness to provide patients with accurate information and a supportive community,” said Dr. Christopher Parker. “People with gout shouldn’t have to suffer and struggle in isolation. Gary and I are committed to offering education and community to as many gout patients as we can reach.”

The Gout Support Group of America reaches a Facebook group of more than 13,000 members. The support group works to improve the lives of people living with gout through wellness education, empowerment and support from peers. Members of the group can ask questions, share their experiences and seek advice from other people who understand what it’s like to live with gout.

To learn more, visit www.goutsupportgroup.org

February 7, 2023

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the National Kidney Foundation as a coalition member. A pioneer of scientific research and innovation, the National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to enhancing patients’ lives through action, education and accelerating change.

“By partnering with the Alliance for Gout Awareness, we hope to continue making a difference for both kidney patients and gout patients,” said Kelli Damron, Director, Patient Engagement. “Our two organizations are aligned in a commitment to provide exceptional resources for patients and to promote change through advocacy and education.” The National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney diseases. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education and accelerating change.

The National Kidney Foundation is a leader in the research community and has established the Young Investigator Research Grant program to support clinical research studies on kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation has also invested more than $200 million to support kidney disease treatment.

To learn more, visit https://www.kidney.org/

August 1, 2022

The Alliance for Gout Awareness is proud to highlight the Rheumatology Nurses Society as a valued member and partner. Rheumatology Nurses Society is a non-profit professional nursing and advanced practice provider organization representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health care professionals. It strives to promote research, education, and advocacy for the care of adult and pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases.

“We support nurses and advanced practice providers (APPs) who pursue excellence in the care of patients with rheumatic diseases,” said Carrie Beach, BSN, RN-BC, President of the Rheumatology Nurses Society. “By joining forces with Alliance for Gout Awareness we can help better equip nurses and APPs with resources to treat patients living with gout and other rheumatic conditions.”

The Rheumatology Nurses Society bridges the gap between rheumatology health care professionals and patient education. Their mission is to give both groups networking opportunities and resources for the benefit of the patient, family and community. In this way, the Rheumatology Nurses Society can reduce the administrative burden on rheumatology nurses and advanced practice providers.

The organization hosts educational seminars and workshops throughout the year for nurses and health care providers to talk about best practices and current trends. Meanwhile, the Rheumatology Nurses Society Action Center keeps members up to date on current legislation and related tools.

To learn more, visit https://rnsnurse.org/

Interested in becoming a member?

Email Olivia Perry at operry@allianceforpatientaccess.org or contact us below.