About APF
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation (APF) is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that serves people affected by pain. APF speaks out for people living with pain, caregivers, health care providers and allied organizations, working together to dismantle the barriers that impede access to quality pain care for all.
Our Mission
The American Pain Foundation educates, supports and advocates for people affected by pain.
Our Vision
Pain is no longer a major health care problem.
Our Core Values
- Integrity, professionalism and high ethical standards
- Dignity and respect
- Justice and self-determination
- Care and compassion
- Diversity and inclusiveness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Creativity and openness to new ideas
Our work would not be possible without contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. The role of funders is vital to APF’s mission of improving the lives of people with pain — a mission shared by many of the organizations and individuals whose support allows us to continue our work.
To ensure full disclosure and transparency, APF's Code of Ethics and a complete list of supporters are available for our constituents and all interested parties.
Who We Are
- Board Of Directors
- Staff
- Pain Community Advisory Council (PCAC)
- Military/Veterans and Pain Initiative Advisory Group
- Our Supporters - 2010 Annual Report
- APF Annual Service Awards
- APF Newsroom (For the Media)
- Position Statements
- Code of Ethics
- In Memoriam of those who made a lasting impression on APF.
- Jobs At APF
What We Do
- Serve as an information clearinghouse and resource center for people with pain, their family members and caregivers, the public, health care providers, 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 health care providers to assess pain routinely and provide immediate, ongoing effective care.
- Mobilize a national movement of organizations and individuals who care about better pain management.
Our History
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, PhD, (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.
In 2009, the National Pain Foundation ceased operating and transferred its key assets to APF, including web content, program and membership materials, a pain health care provider directory and the John C. Oakley Memorial Fund. APF was invited to integrate these assets because of synergies in mission and organizational structure. The contributions of the National Pain Foundation to the pain community have a legacy at APF where they will continue to inform, educate and support people with pain.
What People with Pain Should Know
Our job at the American Pain Foundation is to provide people with pain with practical, up-to-date and scientifically sound information about pain and its management. We encourage everyone to learn all they can about appropriate pain care, become their own best advocate and speak out for their rights to receive the care they need and deserve.
If you are a person with pain, you should know that:
- Pain is a national health care 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 you can about pain and possible treatments, and insist on the care you need and deserve.
