Arthritis in America

Arthritis is common and a growing health threat.

Arthritis is common in adults.

• About 1 in 4 (54 million) adults have arthritis.
• More than half of adults with arthritis (32 million) are of working age (18-64 years).

Arthritis is disabling.

• The percent of adults limited by arthritis has increased by about 20% since 2002. The everyday activities of 24 million adults are limited by it, such as holding a cup, lifting a grocery bag, or walking to a car.
• More than 1 in 4 adults with arthritis report severe joint pain.
• Adults with arthritis are more than twice as likely as adults without arthritis to report an injury related to a fall.
• Working-age adults with arthritis have lower employment than those without arthritis.

Arthritis makes it harder to manage heart disease, diabetes or obesity.

• About half of adults with heart disease (49%) or diabetes (47%) have arthritis, as do one-third (31%) of those who are obese.
• About half the adults with arthritis who also have heart disease, diabetes or obesity, have some limitation of their normal activities because of their arthritis.
• Physical activity helps manage all these conditions.
• Increased pain, fear of pain, and lack of knowledge of safe forms of physical activity can make it harder for people with arthritis to be physically active.

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The Federal government is

• Supporting national organizations and programs at local parks and recreation areas, community and senior centers, healthcare facilities, and YMCAs to help adults better manage their arthritis.
• Supporting proven physical activity and educational programs through state health departments, health and human service agencies, and community organizations.
• Funding home and community-based services that help people with arthritis and other chronic diseases maintain and improve their health and independence.
• Providing toolkits and resource materials for organizations delivering community-based physical activity and educational programs for those with chronic diseases.
• Providing courses, guidance, and decision-making tools to primary care physicians to support patients’ ability to manage their own condition.
• Collecting data on arthritis in the US and conducting prevention and biomedical research to guide public health activities related to arthritis.

Healthcare providers can

• Urge patients with arthritis to be physically active and to strive for a healthier weight to ease joint pain.
• Recommend patients attend proven educational programs about managing their condition.
• Ask patients about any depression or anxiety, and offer care, treatment, and links to services.
• Consult the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology or other professional organizations for treatment options, including medicines. http://bit.ly/2m8Ocfb.

Adults with arthritis can

• Learn proven actions to deal with pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression.
• Be physically active (like walking, swimming, or biking) to help maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Adopt healthy eating habits and lose weight, if necessary.
• Attend educational programs to gain confidence and skills on managing arthritis.
• Use medications correctly under a healthcare provider’s care.

State officials and community leaders can

• Promote physical activity and disease management educational programs to adults with arthritis through public health departments, parks and recreation agencies, and community and senior centers.
• Support improvements for more walkable community areas to increase opportunities for physical activity.
• Create a system for healthcare providers and adults with arthritis to locate community-based programs.
• Conduct communications campaigns to promote physical activity or educational programs.