Lifestyle Changes Can Loosen Chains for Hoosiers with Arthritis
INDIANAPOLIS - More than a third of Indiana's population has arthritis,
the inflammation of joints. It's estimated that 1.7 million Hoosiers get
that jolting reminder when they roll out of bed, climb stairs, write a
letter or get out of a chair.
Arthritis is not a single disease. It is a term for more than 100 conditions
that involve the joints and surrounding tissues. Arthritis is one of the
leading causes of disability among Americans, and a new state initiative
is addressing the problem. Though the common image of someone with arthritis
is an elderly person, 70 percent of state residents with arthritis are
working age (18 to 64 years).
The Indiana Arthritis Initiative (IAI), launched by the Indiana State
Department of Health and coordinated through its Chronic Disease Division,
seeks to boost awareness and education among people with arthritis and
groups at high risk of developing it, including medically underserved
populations. Their message is that people can take action to reduce arthritis-related
pain and loss of function. Another goal is to strengthen and support clinical
practices of health-care providers serving patients with arthritis.
"There are ways to combat arthritis and reduce its debilitating
effects," says State Health Commissioner Greg A. Wilson, M.D. "Low-impact
physical activity like walking or swimming can improve mobility and reduce
pain for people with arthritis. Maintaining an ideal body weight can also
reduce the risk of developing certain forms of arthritis."
Initiative members recently completed The Indiana Arthritis Strategic
Action Plan, a work plan for improving arthritis awareness and management
in Indiana, and the report, Arthritis and Indiana: Our State's Burden,
detailing demographics of who has arthritis, the many ways arthritis affects
quality of life for individuals and families, and the economic problems
associated with the disease.
IAI steering committee members include several faculty members of the
Indiana University School of Medicine: committee chair Douglas B. McKeag,
M.D., chairman of the Department of Family Medicine; Greg Steele, Ph.D.,
associate professor; Department of Public Health; Rose Fife, M.D., associate
dean for research and director of the IU Center for Excellence in Women's
Health; and Javier F. Sevilla Martir, M.D., assistant professor of clinical
family medicine. William S. Quillen, Ph.D., director of the physical therapy
program at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis also
serves on the committee.
"The actions to manage and prevent arthritis also are beneficial
in preventing and controlling chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke,
cancer and diabetes," says Dr. McKeag. "Many of these lifestyle
changes could be initiated at home."
Representatives from the Arthritis Foundation, AARP, Family and Social
Services Administration, Purdue University Department of Agricultural
and Biological Engineering, and other organizations serving people affected
by arthritis are also involved in IAI.
The Indiana Arthritis Strategic Action Plan is posted on the State Department
of Health Web site at www.in.gov/isdh.
Click on the Plan graphic. Arthritis and Indiana: Our State's Burden is
posted on the web site under "Data and Statistics."
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Media Contacts: Jennifer Dunlap
Indiana State Department of Health
317-233-7090
jdunlap@isdh.state.in.us
Joe Stuteville
IU School of Medicine
317-274-7722
jstutevi@iupui.edu
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