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Preventing Chronic Disease: Investing Wisely in Health
Revised July 2005
Preventing Arthritis Pain and Disability
(PDF–150)
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Preventing Arthritis Pain and Disability
The Reality
- Nearly 43 million Americans—about one in every five adults— have
arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. As the population ages, these
numbers will probably increase dramatically.
- Arthritis is more common among older adults, but it also affects
many children and young adults. In fact, 60% of people with arthritis
are younger than 65.
- Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among U.S. adults. It
limits everyday activities for more than 16 million Americans.
- Early and aggressive management of inflammatory arthritis can reduce
complications and delay costly procedures like joint replacements.
- Among adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, almost one third
report having a work limitation attributed to arthritis.
The Cost of Arthritis
- Each year arthritis is estimated to cost $51 billion for medical
costs and an additional $35 billion for indirect costs such as lost
wages (in 1997 dollars).
- Arthritis is responsible for 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million
outpatient visits every year.
- As the U.S. population ages, arthritis-related costs are going to
soar.
- Arthritis is responsible for 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million
outpatient visits every year.
Percentage of Adults with
Arthritis,* 2003
(A
text
version of this graphic is also available.)
* People 18 or older with self-reported,
doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2003.
Arthritis Control: A Good Investment
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis, including
self-management activities such as self-help courses, weight control, and
physical activity, can help people with arthritis function better, stay
productive, and have lower health care costs.
- A recent study estimated that an insurer or health care organization
that implements the Arthritis Self-Help Course among just 10,000 people
with arthritis can expect a net savings of more than $2.5 million over 4
years.
- Achieving a healthy weight lowers a person’s risk for developing
osteoarthritis in the knees. It can also slow progression of arthritis
in people who already have the disease and delay costly knee replacement
surgery.
- Moderate physical activity relieves arthritis pain and stiffness and
improves a person’s mood and outlook.
Most Common Causes of Disability
Among Americans Aged 18 Years or Older, 1999
(A
text
version of this graphic is also available.)
Source: CDC. Prevalence of disabilities and associated
health conditions among adults—United States, 1999. MMWR
2001;50:120–5.
Effective Strategies and Promising Approaches
- The Arthritis Self-Help Course, developed at Stanford University, is
a 6-week course that teaches people how to manage their arthritis and
lessen its effects. Arthritis pain declined by 20% and costly physician
visits were reduced by 40% among people who completed the course.
Unfortunately, fewer than 1% of Americans with arthritis participate in
such programs, and courses are not offered in all areas of the United
States. Making the Arthritis Self-Help Course and other self-management
strategies a routine part of health care for people with arthritis
should help reduce arthritis-related pain and health care costs.
- Increasing public awareness about the importance of early diagnosis
should increase appropriate management for inflammatory arthritis and
connective tissue diseases.
- Getting the message out about the benefits of a healthy weight and
moderate physical activity should help people with arthritis.
Hope for the Future
CDC is working with the Arthritis Foundation and other partners to
carry out the National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy.
The plan was developed to guide the use of the nation’s resources to
decrease the burden of arthritis for all Americans and increase the
quality of life of those affected by arthritis. It provides a blueprint
for reducing pain, activity limitations, and disability among people with
arthritis, as well as for preventing certain types of arthritis, as called
for in Healthy People 2010.
CDC Funding for State Arthritis
Programs, Fiscal Year 2005
* Up to $600,000 per state. Category A funding (average level $140,000)
allows states to begin building an arthritis program. Category B funding
(average level $290,000) carries this process further and allows states to
conduct pilot projects to improve quality of life for people with
arthritis.
† From $600,000 to $1,000,000 per state. This would allow states to
further reduce the burden of arthritis by more broadly carrying out
evidence-based interventions. Currently no states are funded at this
level.
(A
text
version of this graphic is also available.)
State Programs in Action
 Tennessee:
Self-Help Course Reaches Out to Underserved Communities
In 2002, nearly 30% of Tennessee adults had arthritis that had
been diagnosed by a doctor—a rate far above the national estimate of
approximately 21%. Another problem in Tennessee is the lack of
health information available for people with arthritis.
With CDC support, Tennessee partnered with the University of
Tennessee’s Agriculture Extension Services to offer the Arthritis
Self-Help Course in 25 rural areas where access to health care is
severely limited. The Arthritis Self-Help Course teaches patients
the skills they need to manage their arthritis. Research has shown
that the pain and disability of arthritis can be minimized with
early diagnosis and treatment, including self-management of the
disease. Forty Extension Services educators were trained to teach
the course in the underserved areas.
 Before
the partnership, no residents of these areas had taken the Arthritis
Self-Help Course. In 2004, nearly 200 participants in the targeted
areas attended an Arthritis Self-Help Course for the first time.
This partnership shows how a state can be responsive to the unique
needs and cultures of communities in need. It can serve as a model
for other states wanting to reach underserved populations.
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For more information and references supporting these facts, visit
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp. For
additional copies of this document, E-mail
ccdinfo@cdc.gov.
Department of
Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
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Page last reviewed: November 25, 2005
Page last modified: November 25, 2005
Content source: National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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