False! The various forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, as a whole, comprise the most common chronic health condition in the United States. It affects about one in every six people!
In the older population, arthritis and related diseases are even more common.
Also, arthritis is the leading cause of disability!
The impact of it on the economy is huge. By some estimates, costs associated with the disease amount to $128 billion a year. These costs are developed from direct medical costs like fees for physicians and other healthcare professionals or laboratory testing, indirect costs like individuals losing work because of the disease and intangible costs like travel expenses for medical care or costs incurred when a spouse must leave their job to care for a person with arthritis.
So, if you think arthritis isn't a serious problem, you're seriously wrong! Whether it's for patients, caretakers, or even the economy, arthritis is affecting a variety of issues and it's time for us to take a stand.
This information was resourced from the Arthritis Foundation Book Tips for Good Living with Arthritis
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