HHS HealthBeat (November 26, 2007)

Working with arthritis

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say working-age adults in all U.S. states face work limitations due to their arthritis.

The finding is based on data from a 2003 state-based telephone survey. The CDC expects the toll of arthritis on work to get worse as the population grows older and many people keep working.

Existing job programs and simple accommodations can help workers deal with arthritis. So can medical treatments And the CDC’s Kristina Theis says many people with arthritis can help themselves minimize the symptoms:

“We recommend self-management and exercise programs for all persons with arthritis because these programs have been shown to decrease pain and improve function.” (9 seconds)

The findings are in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 26 2008