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Chronic Pain Pervasive in All Age Groups, New Study Shows
Thursday September 4, 12:00 pm ET
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.