Program Descriptions

Pennsylvania Arthritis Program

Arthritis Burden in Pennsylvania

Nearly 2.8 million people or 28% of Pennsylvania adult population reported having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. According to the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), about 57% of adults aged 55 years or older have arthritis, compared to 35% with adults aged 45-64 years and 10% of adults aged 18-44 years. In Pennsylvania, more women (33%) have arthritis than men (24%).

Additional information about the burden of arthritis in Pennsylvania includes

• Of people with arthritis, 38% are obese.
• Arthritis affects all racial and ethnic groups, with prevalence at 30% for whites, 23% for blacks, and 22% for Hispanics.
• Of working-age (18-64 years) adults with arthritis, 38% (575,000) have some work limitation due to their arthritis.

Data Source: 2011 BRFSS.

Planned Partnerships

• Pennsylvania Arthritis Foundation Chapters
• Pennsylvania Association of Family Physicians Foundation
• Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Proposed lnterventions

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
• Walk With Ease (Group)

Contact Information
Jan Miller
Arthritis Program Administrator
Pennsylvania Dept. of Health
Bureau of Health Promotion
Health & Welfare Bldg.
625 Forster Street, Room 1008 H&W Bldg |
Harrisburg, PA. 17120
Telephone: (717) 787-5900
Fax: (717) 783-5498
E-mail: janmille@pa.gov

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