Arthritis

Arthritis Facts

Arthritis is America's number-one crippling disease. An estimated 40 million Americans have arthritis, and close to 7 million are disabled by the disease in its most severe forms. Although the elderly are most at risk for arthritis, it can strike at any age -- 285,000 children in the United States have some form of arthritis.

Arthritis is the leading cause of absenteeism from work after the common cold, accounting for 27 million days lost from work each year in the United States. It is also the leading cause of disability payments. In the United States it costs an estimated $68 billion annually in medical costs, lost wages, and associated economic losses.

Arthritis and Quality of Life

Arthritis is rarely life-threatening, but the associated pain, stiffness, and fatigue can have a big impact on your quality of life. Find out your personal Quality of Life Measurement and the steps you can take to make some changes. MyJoints uses the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS2), specifically developed to measure the impact arthritis is having on your day-to-day life.

National Arthritis Month

Did you know that May is National Arthritis Month? To meet the goals of the National Arthritis Action Plan and arthritis-related national health objectives for 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arthritis Foundation, Lupus Foundation of America, and other organizations are working together to increase awareness, early diagnosis, and appropriate management for better control of arthritis.

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting approximately 43 million people in 1997 and possibly 60 million by 2020. Systemic lupus erythematosus, one of more than 100 arthritis and rheumatic conditions, is a chronic and potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.

Visit http://www.arthritis.org for more information about arthritis, National Arthritis Month, Arthritis Action Day, the National Arthritis Action Plan, and local Arthritis Foundation programs and services.