Women and arthritis: burden, impact and prevention programs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the public health burden and impact of arthritis among women, document the growing interest in addressing arthritis as a public health problem, and review new national (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) and state arthritis programs.


RESULTS
Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are a major public health problem, affecting nearly 27 million women in 1997 and accounting for 23.9 million ambulatory medical care visits and 451,000 hospitalizations among women in that year. Arthritis is also the leading cause of disability and is associated with considerable functional limitations. The 1999 National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy prompted first-time congressional funding to the CDC to monitor the burden of arthritis and to establish state arthritis prevention programs through cooperative agreements. The CDC's Arthritis Program also used this funding to build the public health science base, develop national health communications campaigns, foster partnerships, and initiate health systems change.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthritis in general and selected types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE), and fibromyalgia, disproportionately affect women. The CDC, state health departments, and their partners are working toward improving the quality of life for women affected by arthritis. Effective, evidence-based interventions, such as self-management education and physical activity programs, are currently available and can reduce pain, improve function, and delay disability, but they remain underused. Future research should focus on improving earlier diagnosis and increasing access to effective interventions.
Hootman
Jennifer M
JM
Arthritis Program, Health Care and Aging Studies Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Sniezek
Joseph E
JE
Helmick
Charles G
CG
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011634:Public Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States