Arthritis Awareness Month
“Arthritis is one of the most widespread health conditions in the United States. It affects about one in four adults overall. That’s over 54 million men and women. To recognize this toll on Americans’ health, CDC, the Arthritis Foundation and other partners observe Arthritis Awareness Month in May.”
According to the Arthritis Foundation about 54 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. And that is estimating on the low-end of the numbers!
Arthritis by the Numbers:
- Nearly 53 million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis; that number is expected to grow to 67 million by 2030.
- Almost 300,000 babies, kids and teens have arthritis or a rheumatic condition.
- Arthritis is the nation’s No. 1 cause of disability.
- Working-age men and women (ages 18 to 64) with arthritis are less likely to be employed than those of the same age without arthritis.
- 1/3 of working-age people with arthritis have limitations in their ability to work, the type of work they can do or whether they can work part time or full time.
- People with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis –two major kinds of arthritis – miss a combined 172 million workdays every year.
- Arthritis and related conditions account for more than $156 billion annually in lost wages and medical expenses.
- There are nearly 1 million hospitalizations each year due to arthritis.
- 57% of adults with heart disease have arthritis.
- 52% of adults with diabetes have arthritis.
- 44% of adults with high blood pressure have arthritis.
- 36% of adults who are obese have arthritis.
- 1/3 of adults with arthritis age 45 and older have either anxiety or depression.
The first steps in conquering arthritis are learning the facts, understanding your condition and knowing that help is by your side.
Join us May 1st at 7 pm and learn how to best manage pain, feelings of depression and isolation and deepen our relationships with our health care team. We’ll also talk about the latest treatments and how to access resources in our community.
This program will be lead by Diane White, Community Engagement Director of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.