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Current Fact Sheets

ARTHRITIS PROGRAM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Arthritis Program is presently funded at $ ______ million.

We support a FY 2002 appropriation of $ _____ million. With these additional resources, CDC would fund states that currently do not have arthritis programs and provide increased support to currently funded states. Working with state partners CDC would further examine the arthritis burden, and would develop and implement programs and policies to reduce this burden.

Basic Facts About Arthritis

Arthritis affects over 43 million Americans and is projected to affect 60 million by 2020.

Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability, limiting daily activities for more than 7 million Americans. By 2020, arthritis will limit the daily activities of 12 million Americans.

Each year, arthritis patients will make 44 million outpatient visits. There will be 740,000 hospitalizations due to arthritis and arthritis-associated disabilities.

Arthritis and arthritis-related disabilities result in enormous health care costs for individuals, their families, and the nation. Each year medical care and lost productivity costs associated with arthritis and associated disabilities amount to almost $65 billion.

CDC's Arthritis Program

CDC collaborated with the Arthritis Foundation, states, and other national partners to develop the National Arthritis Action Plan. Currently, CDC provides support for 8 state programs. These eight states receive funds to increase awareness of arthritis as an important public health problem, to establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention of arthritis and related disability, and to implement an early intervention and treatment strategy for individuals living with arthritis. An additional 29 states receive minimal planning funds to improve the science base through state and local surveillance and epidemiological studies to better understand the impact of arthritis and develop population-based outreach programs.

CDC conducts arthritis prevention research at a national level, and works with state partners and the Arthritis Foundation to develop a health communications campaign to promote physical activity. Regular physical activity can reduce pain and increase mobility among people with arthritis.

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