May 30, 2023 – Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in the United States, and a leading cause of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults have arthritis that has been diagnosed by a doctor, and 26 million adults are unable to do daily activities because of arthritis.
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, when the focus is on arthritis intervention and prevention strategies. The month of awareness is recognized each year in May as an opportunity to learn about the different types of arthritis in addition to their causes and treatment options. The month is also a chance for your physician customers to share resources and prevention strategies with patients.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, afflicting over 32.5 million U.S. adults, according to the CDC. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance is a national coalition of concerned organizations started as a partnership between the Arthritis Foundation and the CDC. Since 2011, the coalition has aimed to have osteoarthritis recognized as a national health priority, and to promote policy solutions addressing the human impact of the disease.
OA can be managed through intervention, and steps can be taken to prevent it from developing. Communicating about the disease is critical for nationwide awareness. In 2023, the OA alliance’s overarching goal of “preventing and managing the disease to improve the quality of life for all Americans,” includes invoking policymakers, mobilizing health systems, and engaging individuals with OA.
In 2022, the alliance collaborated with industry stakeholders to expand and update a toolkit of resources for healthcare providers and the healthcare support community. Additionally, four new therapeutic interventions were added to the already growing list, and four new organizations were added to the alliance including Wake Forest School of Medicine, Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals, University of North Carolina Greensboro (EdD in Kinesiology), and Pain Free after 50.
Read more about joint health and preventing osteoarthritis in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine.