Real Pain

Global Year Against Pain in Women


The International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP) has declared 2008 the Global year Against Pain in Women.



This is an effort to draw attention to the siginificant impact chronic pain has on women, since chronic pain affects a greater number of women than men around the world. However women are less likely to receive treatment.

IASP has promoted the Global Day and Global Year Against Pain for a number of years now primarily to raise awareness of pain worldwide. 2007 focused on pain in older pesons and 2006 focused on pain in children. The Global Year, is a year-long event held to raise awareness of the different aspects of pain.

Why the need to focus on pain?

Pain, particularly chronic pain, can significantly impact on quality of life and can continue to do so as the average lifespan increases. In developing countries there are several serious diseases that can cause severe pain for which there is often little or no pain relief available.

The IASP believes it is important to raise the profile of pain and promote the recognition of chronic pain as an important health concern. Few people die of pain, but many people die in pain and even more live in pain.

You can find more information at the IASP website. In your own area you may be able to contact a physiotherapist who could link you with a session(s)on chronic pain.