The word arthritis means joint inflammation. It refers to more than 100 different diseases called rheumatic diseases and related conditions. Arthritis usually affects the joints and the tissues around the joints, such as muscles and tendons. This limits mobility and restricts the ability to engage in activities of daily living. Some types of arthritis also can affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs (source: Arthritis Foundation).
By practicing healthy behaviors, Iowans with arthritis will experience a decrease in pain and discomfort and an increase in mobility and well-being.
CDC's Media Campaign
Physical Activity. The Arthritis Pain Reliever
This health communications campaign is for general use by state health departments and their partners and was designed to raise awareness of physical activity as a way to manage arthritis pain and increase function, and to increase knowledge of appropriate physical activity and confidence in ability to increase physical activity among the target audience. The target audience for the campaign includes men and women with arthritis, physician-diagnosed or self-diagnosed, who have the following characteristics:
- African American or Caucasian
- Ages 45 to 64 years (see below for over age 65)
- High school education or less
- Income less than $35,000 a year
- Arthritis that has begun to or threatens to have negative impact on valued life roles
Why is Public Health promoting and protecting the health of Iowans?
- Arthritis has no known cure, so the goal is to alleviate pain and increase the well-being of people with arthritis.
- Arthritis can affect people of any age, race, or gender. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, and other forms of arthritis affect women at higher rates than men.
- In 2007, an estimated 615,683 adult Iowans (27.1%) have been diagnosed with arthritis by a doctor.
- The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis is higher among women (29.5%) than men (24.5%) and higher among Iowans aged 65 years and older (54.7%) and Iowans aged 55 - 64 years (42.3%) than other age groups.
- About 171,776 Iowans have activity limitation due to arthritis or chronic joint symptoms.
- Doctors or other health professionals suggested losing weight to nearly 26.7% of Iowans with diagnosed arthritis, to help with arthritis or joint symptoms.
- Physical activity was suggested to more than half (50.2%) of this population.
- Unfortunately, only 9.5% of the adult population with arthritis has taken an educational course or class to learn how to manage problems related to arthritis or joint symptoms. Those aged 45 - 54 were most represented in such programs.
- Annual medical expenditures and lost earnings attributable to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in Iowa were estimated at $1,249.7 million in 2003.
What services are available from the Chronic Disease Prevention & Management Bureau?
- Technical assistance to local public health such as wellness program development and marketing ideas to engage persons with arthritis.
- Collaboration of chronic disease programs (Comprehensive Cancer Control, Diabetes Prevention and Control, Asthma, etc.). Collaboration includes pooling resources to market programs together and providing a consistent social marketing message about how people can manage their condition with universal strategies for all types of chronic illnesses.
- Information and education about all aspects of arthritis and referrals to intervention services such as arthritis support groups or chronic disease management classes.
Why are these important services?
The bureau follows the standard accepted practices and logic model of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We work closely with partners such as the Arthritis Foundation - Iowa Chapter and the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs to provide evidence-based programs. The programs are effective at reducing pain and increasing the range of motion, flexibility, and well-being of people with arthritis.
Arthritis Resources:
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