World Arthritis Day!

Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Nearly 54 million persons in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Awareness
Arthritis is the nation’s number one cause of disability, affecting 1 in 4 adults, impacting the economy and causing daily struggles for the many people affected with arthritis.

Economically, over 156 billion dollars annually are lost in wages as well as medical expenses. Surgeries like knee, hip, and other joint replacements generate more and more medical expenses. In 2011 alone, there were 757,000 knee replacements and 512,000 hip replacements!

Arthritis affects our troops and veterans significantly. It is the leading reason for medical discharge from service in the military, and one in three military service members are diagnosed with arthritis, compared to one in five civilians. Members of the military over 40 are twice as likely as civilians to have arthritis. They would be diagnosed two years after a blast injury, while a non-military service member would be diagnosed about ten years later.

The risk of arthritis is increased with the affliction of other chronic conditions. For example, 49 percent of adults with heart disease have arthritis, and one third of arthritic people have anxiety or depression. Other conditions like diabetes, high blood-pressure, and obesity raise the chance of arthritis.

Daily life is impacted as well. Many adults have significant physical limitations: one in 9 adults report trouble climbing stairs, and one in 22 have trouble grasping. People with arthritis are less likely to be physically active than those not affected, although physical activity is effective to relieve pain and can improve function for those with arthritis.

What You Can Do
Today, help us spread awareness about arthritis and the impact it has on families, friends and loved ones. On #WorldArthritisDay, celebrate those with arthritis for their strength and determination.

Share your stories on social media, tag us so we can see your post, and use the hashtag

#CureArthritis #Pain

#Arthritis