Arthritis in New York State
BASICBeing
Active
Supports
Indepedence &
Control
New York State Department of Health
Arthritis Program
The New York State Arthritis Program was created to help New Yorkers learn how to better manage their disease. The program has partnered with a variety of organizations to better inform the public about arthritis and how to live with the disease more effectively and comfortably. In New York State, approximately 4.7 million adults live with arthritis and, of those, 1.5 million are age 65 or older. That number is expected to increase as the population continues to age.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Arthritis
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease of the joints, characterized by inflammation of the affected areas. There are numerous types of arthritis, with the most predominant forms being osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They cause pain, swelling and limited movement in the joints and connective tissues of the body.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It involves the breakdown of cartilage and bone and usually affects the fingers and weight-bearing joints.
- In rheumatoid arthritis, an abnormality in the body's defense or immune system causes inflammation of the joints. This inflammation may also affect other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men.
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of arthritis in children and can range from mild conditions that cause few problems to severe cases that produce serious complications. About 285,000 children in the United States have a form of juvenile arthritis and 71,000-100,000 of those have JRA.
What are the risk factors for arthritis?
There are a number of common risk factors for arthritis.
- The most important is increasing age; arthritis is more frequent in older people.
- Family history of arthritis may also present as a risk of developing the disease.
- Women are at higher risk for developing osteoarthritis.
Obesity, injury, and level of education are other risk factors for arthritis.
- Obesity increases a person's risk of developing the disease. For those individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, the risk for developing arthritis becomes greater. BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height.
- Joint injuries and work-related activities may also be risk factors for arthritis.
- It has been found that individuals with less than a high school education have more arthritis than those who are high school graduates.
What are the warning signs of arthritis?
The warning signs of arthritis include:
- Swelling in one or more joints
- Morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or more
- Persistent joint pain or tenderness, redness or warmth in a joint, and
- Not being able to move a joint in a normal way.
Less common warning signs may be:
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Weakness and
- Joint pain that cannot be explained.
If you have any of the above symptoms, see your medical provider.
What is the impact of arthritis on New York State?
In New York State, approximately 4.7 million adults live with arthritis and, of those, 1.4 million are age 65 or older. This number will only increase as the population grows older. Arthritis has a major impact on the quality of life. New York residents living with arthritis are more likely to experience activity limitations, depression and pain due to their arthritis. In fact, people with arthritis report that more than one-third of their days every month are considered "unhealthy days."
What is the impact of arthritis on the nation?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 43 million Americans are affected by some type of arthritis. By the year 2020, an estimated 60 million people will have arthritis. Currently, the total cost of treating arthritis, its complications, and the disability that results from uncontrolled disease is almost $65 billion nationally.
Who gets arthritis?
Almost anyone can develop arthritis, but it is more common among women, people who are obese, those with less than a high school education and the elderly.
Does Lyme disease cause arthritis?
Lyme disease, in its most severe form, can lead to arthritis and joint swelling. Lyme disease can be prevented by avoiding tick-infested habitat and taking special precautions to prevent tick bites by wearing light-colored clothing, tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants, applying insect repellent with DEET and by checking yourself thoroughly after outdoor activity.
What can be done to prevent arthritis or reduce the disabling effects of the disease?
People with arthritis often do not think that anything can be done to help them. They may not seek medical attention because they believe arthritis is an inevitable consequence of aging. However, there is a lot that can be done to prevent arthritis and to ease its debilitating effects. Arthritis prevention focuses on good nutrition and moderate physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight. Precautions should be taken to avoid repetitive joint use, and sport- and work-related injuries.
For those living with arthritis, proper diagnosis by a health care professional is a key component of effective treatment. Good nutrition and physical activity are highly recommended. Three types of exercise are beneficial to people with arthritis. They are range-of-motion, strengthening, and endurance. There are many arthritis medications, depending on the type of arthritis, which have been proven to reduce the pain and inflammation of the disease. Other treatment recommendations include rest, heat and cold therapies, assistive devices such as splints and braces, and surgery.
What is the New York State Arthritis Program?
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has established a program to address the burden of arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the state. NYSDOH is building partnerships with public and private agencies concerned with arthritis and its related conditions. NYSDOH coordinates public and professional arthritis awareness activities in collaboration with the five New York chapters of the National Arthritis Foundation, medical providers, public health officials, and other partners. Together, these partners are developing the Arthritis Plan for New York State, which will serve as a blueprint for future arthritis programming for the state.
The Arthritis Program is also collaborating with the New York State Office for the Aging and the five New York chapters of the National Arthritis Foundation to bring the Arthritis Self-Help Course to communities around the state. The course has been proven to reduce arthritis pain by 20% and physician visits by 40%, yet currently only reaches an estimated 1% of the population with arthritis. The course was designed to help people with arthritis change their activities and abilities, decrease their pain, and develop more self-confidence in being their own caregivers. The course increases people's knowledge of arthritis, providing them with the skills to manage their disease and function as independently as possible.
For information about the New York State Arthritis Program, please contact:
Arthritis Program Manager
New York State Department of Health
150 Broadway
Riverview Center, 3W
Albany, NY 12204
Telephone: (518) 408-5141
E-mail: arth@health.state.ny.us
DOH Partner, the Arthritis Foundation, Offers Help
The National Arthritis Foundation (AF), along with the five NY chapters of the AF, offer a variety of programs and services that can help people cope with the pain and disabling effects of arthritis. These programs and services include:
- Self-help courses
- Water and land based exercise
- Support groups
- Home study courses
- Instructional videotapes
- Educational forums
- Educational brochures and booklets
The NY Arthritis Foundation chapters:
Upstate NY Chapter - Rochester
(716) 264-1480
Buffalo Branch
(716) 626-0333
Long Island Chapter
(631) 427-8272
NYC Chapter
(212) 984-8700
Hudson Valley Branch
(914) 683-0842
Central NY Chapter — Syracuse
(315) 455-8553
Northeastern NY Chapter- Albany
(518) 456-1203
Broome County Branch
(607) 798-8048
Northern New England Chapter - [Essex, Franklin, Clinton counties]
(802) 864-4988
The Arthritis Foundation
Link to find to your local Arthritis Foundation chapters
Related Links
You may wish to visit the following Web sites, which contain additional arthritis information:
NYSDOH: - Lyme Disease Program
New York State Office for the Aging - Aging Well Village
The Centers for Disease Control
American College of Rheumatology
Remember, to prevent most common chronic diseases:
Eat.............Vegetables and Fruits
Aim for at least 5 servings every day
Choose vegetables and fruits at every meal and for snacks
Move...........Every Day
Be active at least 30 minutes on most days
Walking is a great choice.....Three 10-minute walks are as good for you as one 30-minute walk.
Maintain.......A Healthy Weight
If you are overweight, even a small weight loss can improve your health.
Refuse.........To Smoke
If you smoke, plan to stop.
When you stop, your body begins to repair itself immediately.
Know...........Your Family History
Your family history can affect your risk for certain diseases.
Talk to your doctor about your family medical history.
Statistical information was obtained from the NYS BRFSS 2001, the National Arthritis Action Plan, and the Arthritis Foundation.