More than half of all Americans (57%) have suffered chronic or recurrent pain in the past year, according to a nationwide
survey conducted by Washington-based Research!America. The survey found that younger people (age 18 to 34) are only slightly
less likely than older Americans to be in pain, and the impact of pain is experienced by three out of every four people; 76%
of those surveyed said they are either suffering from pain themselves or have a close family member or friend who suffers.
Misunderstandings about pain
The random telephone survey, which was conducted among a sample of 1,004 adults, also found that:
• Of the 57% who suffered from chronic or recurrent pain in the past year, 62% have been in pain for more than a year and
40% report being in pain all the time.
• Four out of 10 chronic pain sufferers (39%) 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.
• Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed believe a cure for chronic pain is at least 10 years away.
• Fifty-seven percent are willing to pay one dollar more each week to increase federal funding for pain research.
• Forty-two percent say American culture views pain as more of a weakness than a misfortune.
James Campbell, chair of the Baltimore-based American Pain Foundation, said the results of the survey reveal a widespread
misunderstanding of both the prevalence and the effects of pain in society. "These poll results show that pain is a pandemic
health problem," said Campbell, who is also professor of neurosurgery and director of the Blaustein Pain Treatment Center
at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. "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." PR
