Gout Awareness Day
Twenty years ago, the Gout Education Society established Gout Awareness Day with a simple, but urgent, purpose: to bring clarity, compassion, and clinical understanding to a disease that has long been misunderstood and misdiagnosed. As we mark the 20th anniversary of GAD, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come, and the work that remains.
For those of you new to our organization, let me introduce myself and provide some history on the Society and Gout Awareness Day. I’m N. Lawrence Edwards, MD, MACP, MACR – or, Dr. E for short – chairman of the Gout Education Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and health care community about gout — the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting more than 12.2 million Americans today — and the related health care consequences of high uric acid levels. The Society was founded by me and H. Ralph Schumacher, Jr., MD, in 2005 with the aim of improving the quality of care and minimizing the burden of gout.
Our dream of getting accurate, clinically guided information into the hands of gout sufferers wouldn’t be possible without our Board of Directors and International Advisory Council, comprised of national and global gout experts, academics, researchers, and clinicians. I am tremendously grateful to them for sharing their time, expertise, and research to help advance the Society’s efforts over the last two decades.
The History of Gout Awareness Day
Gout Awareness Day was established nearly a year later on May 22, 2006. Every year on this day, the Gout Education Society amplifies its efforts to raise public awareness of gout, with a focus on reducing stigma, providing free, accessible educational materials, and improving diagnosis/treatment of the disease.
So much has changed for gout treatment, management, and education in the last two decades.
20 Years of Progress in Gout Awareness
I’ve seen increased public understanding of the disease. Our latest research shows that, among gout sufferers, the belief that gout only affects the feet and toes has declined since 2019. Nearly nine in ten Americans (88%) correctly recognize gout as a chronic condition, even between flares, close to as many with gout (92%). While 44% of Americans still view gout as embarrassing, this percentage declined from 51% in 2019, suggesting stigma around the condition may be easing over time.
These points make it clear that educational moments, patient resources, and accessible information have improved the dialogue between those with the disease and their respective health care team.
Advancements in diagnosis and treatment have also been encouraging. We now better understand the importance of long-term uric acid control, and treatment strategies have evolved to reflect this. Furthermore, there is plenty of exciting research in progress that aims to create more treatment options for those with the disease.
I’ve seen support communities achieve massive growth and gout sufferers taking on a proactive role in their care, which I witness every time I answer your thoughtful questions on Reddit AMAs. Dr. Schumacher would be proud to see all of you taking on the mantle of education and treatment, whether you’re suffering with gout or a medical professional treating it.
And, even in my own retirement from clinical work, one thing remains true: Gout awareness still matters.
Why Gout Awareness Day Still Matters
In fact, our latest research shows that, while many Americans recognize gout as a chronic disease, misunderstanding about its causes, severity, and long-term management remains widespread. The biggest misconception around gout still stands: 63% believe diet can eliminate the need for medication, which is far from true. Urate lowering therapy is the only reliable way to lower uric acid levels to below 6.0 mg/dL and prevent future flares. I am, however, deeply encouraged to know that our research shows that 98% of those with gout are taking action to manage their disease. Education is the first step to managing the disease, after all.
In celebration of the 20th Gout Awareness Day, my ask of you is this: Encourage loved ones suffering from the disease to seek diagnosis and treatment; freshen up on gout knowledge via our patient or medical professional guides; and follow us on Facebook, X, and Reddit for new news and quarterly AMAs. Bonus points to you if you sign up for our monthly newsletter.
As the Gout Education Society looks to the future, our mission remains the same, but our urgency and fervor have not diminished. Gout is a manageable disease, but only when it is properly understood. The future demands that all of us — patients, providers, caregivers, and advocates alike — continue to promote the accurate diagnosis of and guideline-based care for gout; reinforce the importance of long-term disease management; and continue to educate ourselves on this disease.
Be well, Dr. E
