Arthritis! Did you know?

Did You Know?
Over 43 million American adults (about 1 in 5) have been diagnosed by a physician as having arthritis. Another 23 million people have reported chronic joint pain and/or inflammation but have not been told by a doctor that they have arthritis. Statistic of the MonthEvery year arthritis accounts for:
9,500 deaths
750,000 hospitalizations
16 million people with limitations
36 million ambulatory care visits
43 million people with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis $51 billion in medical costs and $86 billion in total costs

Studies have shown that exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness and increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness, and endurance. It also helps with weight reduction and contributes to an improved sense of well-being.