Arthritis in Indiana
Source: Indiana State Department of Health

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reports the state's arthritis program is working on two fronts.

New Report
A report on the burden of arthritis in Indiana has been completed. Highlights include:

*37 percent of adult Hoosiers (18+), or 1.7 million people, reported arthritis or chronic joint symptoms (CJS) in 2001.

*The rate increased with advancing age (62.6 percent of state residents 65 years and older had arthritis/CJS vs. 29.4 percent of those 35-44 years old).

*However, most (70 percent) were working age.

*Obesity is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis. 47.3 percent of obese Hoosiers reported having arthritis/CJS, compared to 29.6 percent of those normal or underweight, and were 1.9 times more likely to limit their activities because of joint symptoms.

For more state-specific arthritis data, visit the ISDH web site.

Indiana Arthritis Strategic Action Plan
The plan strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with arthritis by increasing early diagnosis, proper treatment and the use of self-management strategies.

As part of this plan, the ISDH is asking nurses to do the following:

*Encourage overweight patients to lose weight. Even modest weight loss reduces the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may retard OA damage and improve symptoms.

*Inform patients with arthritis that increasing low-impact physical activity, like walking or biking, can improve their mobility and reduce pain.

To learn more about arthritis management and prevention strategies for Indiana, visit the ISDH web site and click on the Arthritis Strategic Action Plan graphic.

To contact the arthritis program manager, send an email to: arthritis@isdh.state.in.us.

Feel free to tell patients to call the Arthritis Foundation toll free at 800-783-2342 for information about arthritis and available education and activity programs.