About Us

OUR MISSION

Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy, and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and to increase access to effective pain management.

WHAT WE DO

• Serve as an information clearinghouse and resource center for people with pain, their families and their caregivers, the general public, health care professionals, policymakers, and the media.
• Promote recognition of pain as a critical health issue, correcting damaging myths about pain and pain management and seeking to remove the stigma often experienced by those with pain.
• Advocate for changes in professional training, regulatory policies, and health delivery systems to ensure that people with pain have access to high quality care.
• Encourage healthcare professionals to assess pain routinely and provide immediate, ongoing, effective care.
• Mobilize a national movement of organizations and individuals who care about better pain management.

We accomplish this with a diversified base of support that includes foundations, industry, individuals, and other nonprofit organizations

HISTORY: WHY AND HOW WE BEGAN

APF was founded in 1997 by three past presidents of the American Pain Society and leaders in pain management: James N. Campbell, MD, Board Emeritus and Director of the Blaustein Pain Treatment Center at Johns Hopkins; Kathleen Foley, MD. Attending Neurologist, Pain & Palliative Care Services, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; and John Liebeskind, Ph.D. (1935-1997) former Professor of Psychology and Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles. They recognized that while there were organizations serving health care professionals providing pain management services, and other organizations representing commercial enterprises specializing in pain treatments, there were no grassroots organizations representing strictly the interests of people with pain. Our current board includes several additional leading experts on pain management.

WHO WE ARE

Staff
The APF staff works tirelessly to advocate for the needs of those in pain.

Board Of Directors
The APF Board of Directors provides direction and oversight.

Pain Community Advisory Council
The APF Pain Community Advisory Council (PCAC) serves as the voice of the pain community.

In Memoriam of those who made a lasting impression on APF, click here.

WHAT PEOPLE WITH PAIN SHOULD KNOW

Our job at the American Pain Foundation is to provide people with pain with practical, up-to-date, scientifically-sound information about pain and pain management. We also encourage people with pain to learn all they can about pain and pain management treatment options, become their own best advocates, and demand the treatment they need and deserve.

If you are a person with pain, you should know that:

• Pain is a national healthcare crisis. A hallmark of many chronic conditions, pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. According to the CDC, over 75 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. That does not account for those who experience acute pain every year from injury or illness.
• With proper pain management, your overall health, well-being, and quality of life will improve. Your mind and body will be less stressed. You'll be able to sleep better and enjoy relationships with friends and family. You may also be able to resume your normal activities including going to work and taking part in social activities.
• Finding good pain care and taking control of pain can be hard work. As a person with pain, you should become your own best advocate. Learn all they can about pain and possible treatments, and insist on the care you need and deserve.

MORE INFORMATION
APF Brochure
Core Values
APF Video: Voices of People With Pain
Our Supporters

Military/Veteran Initiative

• Fact Sheet
• Information Sheet

PainAid Online Community

• Information Sheet

APF Action Network

• Website

Last Updated: 08/10/10