Boxed lunches will be provided. This event is being hosted i n coordination with the Longevity Science Caucus and the Addiction, Treatm ent, and Recovery (ATR) Caucus with opening remarks delivered by Congre ssman Paul Tonko.
When: 12:00-1:00 PM ET on Wednesday , June 24, 2026
Congressional Lunch Briefing: Reducing Pain Acr oss the Lifespan: Aging Well, Living Better
Musculoskeletal (MSK) p ain, including conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and b one fracture-related pain, is the leading cause of disability in the Unite d States. It affects how people move, work, and enjoy everyday activities , and costs nearly $1 trillion each year in healthcare spending and lost p roductivity. Despite the prevalence of MSK pain, current treatment options still rely heavily on medications such as opioids and anti-inflammatory dr ugs that were originally developed to treat other types of pain and fail to address the underlying disease. As people age, MSK pain becomes increasin gly common, diminishing quality of life for millions of individuals and th eir families while placing a substantial and growing burden on healthcare s ystems. The prevalence and economic costs of MSK pain continues to rise alo ngside an aging population, illustrating the urgent need for more effectiv e therapies. To develop these improved treatment options, researchers must first better understand the biological mechanisms that drive MSK pain and how they change over time.
This congressional lunch briefing will br ing together world-class researchers and a first-hand patient voice to show case scientific advances and opportunities that are accelerating progress t oward this vision. Special remarks will be delivered by Kai Owens, a 20 22 Team USA Olympic mogul skier and college student whose athletic care er and independence were profoundly altered by debilitating injury-related musculoskeletal pain, alongside Dr. Anna Mazzucco (Acting Director of t he National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at NIH) and leading physician-scientists who have dedicated their careers to understanding, treating, and eliminating MSK pain. Together, they wi ll share the known biology of pain, the impact of federal investment in th is area, and what it will take to reduce the devastating burden of chronic pain, preserve mobility, and support the health and wellness of the Amer ican people.
Confirmed Speakers
● Dr. Anna Mazzucco , Director, NIAMS at NIH
● Dr. Anne-Marie Malfait, Professor o f Medicine at Rush University
● Dr. Nancy Lane, Professor of Med icine and Rheumatology at UC Davis
● Kai Owens, Student and 2022 Team USA Olympian in Mogul Skiing
Please address any questions abou t this event to Jason Marvin, AIMBE Director of Partnerships and External Relations, at p artnerships@aimbe.org.