State Burden

Approximately 1.1 million, or 27% of Wisconsin’s adult population report doctor-diagnosed arthritis. According to the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), about 54% of adults over 65 years have arthritis, compared to 34% of adults aged 45–64 years and 12% of adults aged 18–44 years.

Other Wisconsin arthritis-related information:

• More women (30%) than men (23%) have arthritis.
• The distribution of arthritis among racial and ethnic groups is as follows: Whites, 27%, African Americans 31%, Hispanic 24%, and other 24%.
• About 29% of working age adults (18-64 years) reports that arthritis affects their work for pay.
• Of persons with arthritis, 30% are obese.
• Persons without arthritis are more likely (92%) to report good or excellent health, in comparison with persons with arthritis (76%).

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that arthritis and other rheumatic diseases cost Wisconsin $1.7 billion. This amounts to $1 billion in direct costs (ambulatory care, hospitalizations) and $700 million in indirect costs (disability, lost productivity).

Arthritis Coalition

The Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council’s (previously Advisory Council) membership includes approximately 40 health care professionals, educators, hospital administrators, consumers, organizations promoting physical activity, local and state health departments, the state unit on aging, and community-based organizations.

Key Partners

• Arthritis Foundation-Wisconsin Chapter
• Milwaukee Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
• University of Wisconsin Madison Area Technical College
• Wisconsin Educational Association Council (WEAC)
• Wisconsin Division of Disability and Elder Services (DDES)

Intervention and Partnership Highlights

• Conducting a series of the CDC developed public awareness communications campaigns in Wisconsin communities. The Program conducted campaigns in the following communities: Milwaukee’s African American community (2004); Milwaukee’s Hispanic/Latino community (2005), the City of Beloit (2005), and Oneida County (2006).
• Contracting with Milwaukee AHEC to coordinate the Arthritis Program. The program coordinator based in Milwaukee, partners with Milwaukee’s diverse priority populations and with the statewide chronic disease programs.
• Partnering with the Arthritis Foundation-Wisconsin Chapter for the following programs:

  • Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (formerly PACE)
    This program is a land-based exercise program for people with arthritis. In 2005, there were 69 program sites, often senior centers. Other sites include retirement centers, hospitals, churches, fitness centers, and municipal parks and recreation facilities.

  • Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program
    This program is usually offered in partnership with local YMCAs but also in other locations with warm water pools, such as fitness centers. In 2005, there were 57 ongoing Aquatic classes in Wisconsin.

  • Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program (formerly ASHC)
    This 6-week course is designed to teach self-management skills so that people with arthritis can function more effectively on a day-to-day basis. Topics covered include medication management, managing fatigue, problem-solving techniques, nutrition, and exercise, and confidence building. In 2005, there were 6 courses. Two Milwaukee-based instructors are certified to teach the Spanish ASHC.

• Collaborating with the DHFS’s DDES to coordinate Chronic Disease Self-Management Courses on a statewide basis. DDES uses Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) funds for statewide training through the Aging and Disabilities Resources Centers. In 2005 over 100 program leaders were trained.
• Partnering with the Wisconsin Medical Society to publish a special issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal, “Getting a Grip on Arthritis” December 2003.

Program Documents

• Wisconsin Arthritis Program Web site

Contact Information

Anne Kissack RD
Milwaukee Area Health Education Center
Arthritis Coordinator
2224 W. Kilbourn Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Telephone: 414-344-0675 ext. 226
Fax: 414-344-0677
E-mail: akissack@milahec.org