Delay to Diagnosis: Call to Action

The Time to Act in Canada report presents the key findings from the 2025 National Back Summit, where leading experts and patients joined forces to confront Canada’s significant delay to diagnosis—a seven- to ten-year gap for many living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The report highlights systemic barriers to early detection, outlines actionable recommendations, and sets a bold target to cut diagnosis delays in half within three years. It serves as a national call to action to close the delay to diagnosis gap and improve outcomes for Canadians affected by axSpA.

The Time to Act in Canada: Reducing the Delay to Diagnosis for Canada’s Hidden Epidemic is the official summary of insights and recommendations from the 2025 National Back Summit, co-hosted by the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association (CSA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC). Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects more Canadians than rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ALS combined, yet patients often endure seven- to ten-year diagnostic delays—among the longest in the world. Guided by the voices of patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers, this report identifies critical barriers to timely care, offers evidence-based strategies to overcome them, and calls for urgent, coordinated action to halve diagnostic delays within three years. It serves as both a roadmap and a rallying point for improving outcomes and equity for all Canadians affected by axSpA.