American Arthritis Foundation

About us

Community Education

Leadership volunteers offer their time, talents, and expertise in a variety of areas to ensure that the American Arthritis Foundation reaches its annual mission and fundraising goals for the local market area. It all starts by educating the local community about options for arthritis prevention and treatment. The ability to reach out and educate the public is one of our most critical roles and responsibilities.

Community Education is a unique education concept that embraces these beliefs:

Education is a lifelong process;

Everyone in the community - individuals, businesses, public and private agencies -- shares responsibility for educating all members of the community; and Citizens have a right and a responsibility to be involved in determining community needs, identifying community resources, and linking those needs and resources to their community.

Community Education results in:

A responsive education system and an improved learning climate in the schools;

Efficient and cost-effective ways of delivering education and community services;

Broad-based community support for schools and other community agencies;

An emphasis on special populations, such as at-risk youth and minorities; and Collective action among all educational and community agencies to address quality of life issues.

Working together - through Community Education - communities can address such concerns and many other community ideas.

Promoting Interventions That Reduce Arthritis Pain

American Arthritis Foundation recognizes several proven approaches to reduce arthritis symptoms:

Be active. Physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life. Adults with arthritis should move more and sit less throughout the day. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week is recommended.

Protect your joints. People can help prevent osteoarthritis by avoiding activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries.

Talk with a doctor. Recommendations from health care providers can motivate people to be physically active and join a self-management education program. Should your arthritis be interfering with your activities of daily living you may be a candidate to receive many new treatments, and learn how to reverse the arthritis condition.

Effect of Arthritis

In the United States, 23% of all adults, or more than 54 million people, have arthritis. It is a leading cause of work disability, with annual costs for medical care and lost earnings of $303.5 billion.

Workforce Effects

Sixty percent of US adults with arthritis are of working age (18 to 64 years). Arthritis can limit the type of work they are able to do or keep them from working at all.

Global Impact

In fact, 8 million working-age adults report that their ability to work is limited because of their arthritis. For example, they may have a hard time climbing stairs or walking from a parking deck to their workplace.

23%

OF ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS

MILLION PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS

LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY

$303.5

BILLION SPENT ANNUALLY ON ARTHRITIS