American Arthritis Foundation

American Arthritis Foundation Mission:

Prevent, Treat, Reverse Arthritis Today

The American Arthritis Foundation's mission is to education, inform, and connect patients suffering with arthritis to useful therapies, treatments, and help direct research and public policy for improvement of patients.

23%

OF ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS

MILLION PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS

LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY

$303.5

BILLION SPENT ANNUALLY ON ARTHRITIS

Promoting Interventions That Reduce Arthritis Pain

American Arthritis Foundation recognizes several proven approaches to reduce arthritis symptoms:

Be active. Physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life. Adults with arthritis should move more and sit less throughout the day. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week is recommended.

Protect your joints. People can help prevent osteoarthritis by avoiding activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries.

Talk with a doctor. Recommendations from health care providers can motivate people to be physically active and join a self-management education program. Should your arthritis be interfering with your activities of daily living you may be a candidate to receive many new treatments, and learn how to reverse the arthritis condition.

Effect of Arthritis

In the United States, 23% of all adults, or more than 54 million people, have arthritis. It is a leading cause of work disability, with annual costs for medical care and lost earnings of $303.5 billion.

Workforce Effects

Sixty percent of US adults with arthritis are of working age (18 to 64 years). Arthritis can limit the type of work they are able to do or keep them from working at all.

Global Impact

In fact, 8 million working-age adults report that their ability to work is limited because of their arthritis. For example, they may have a hard time climbing stairs or walking from a parking deck to their workplace.