Exploding Arthritis: A great Risk for Children As Well As the Aging Population
Arthritis is exploding in an aging population around the world and is projected to increase by 40% in the next two decades, according to a new study released by t he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Arthritis Workgroup. The report reaffirms that nearly one in five U.S. adults, almost 46 million people, have arthritis and an estimated 67 million people will be affected by 2030.
Findings of this study, published in the January issue of” Arthritis and Rheumatism”, found that osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, has increased to 27 million people, up from 1990 estimates of 21 million. Other key findings include an increase in gout in almost 3 million adults, up from 2.1 million and a decrease in rheumatoid arthritis that came down from 2.1 million adults to 1.3 million. The study also estimates that 294,000 U.S. children and teenagers under age 18 have been diagnosed with arthritis or another rheumatologic condition.
“The prevalence of arthritis overall continues to grow in the United States, which is not surprising given that many of the specific conditions are age related and the general population is aging,” said Dr.Charles G.Helmick, a CDC Epidemiologist and a lead author on the study. “Increases in some of the more common types of arthritis suggest a growing impact on the health care and public health systems,” said Dr. Charles G.Helmick.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the news isn’t good for the nation’s baby boomers or the economy. Already the most common cause of disability in the U.S., arthritis limits activity for 19 million of the 46 million U.S. adults with the disease. It also extracts a hefty financial toll on the country with $128 billion annually.
“Even as the number of people with arthritis rises, the level of federal funding for arthritis research has declined in today’s dollar and intervention programs that could limit the impact are being underutilized,” said Dr.John H. Klippel, MD, President and CEO, Arthritis Foundation. “We must reverse this trend to avoid a potential public health crisis”, says Dr.John H.Klippel.
The Arthritis Foundation is working to help address this ever-growing problem. The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act proposes to strengthen arthritis public health initiatives, which would ensure that more people are diagnosed early and avoid pain and permanent disability. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation urges the public to take part in effective interventions and programs that could reduce the impact. These include getting educated about managing your arthritis through the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, and getting more physically active through the Arthritis Foundation Exercise or Aquatics Programs.
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