News Release

Statement from Secretary Sebelius on World Arthritis Day

Today is World Arthritis Day, a perfect time to get the word out to friends and loved ones about some of the simple steps that you can take to prevent and manage arthritis.

Almost all of us know someone dealing with arthritis.  Today, one in five adults suffers from the condition. Each year, it leads to more than 40 million outpatient visits and roughly one million hospitalizations. Beyond the painful human costs, the disease also carries a high economic price tag: $128 billion annually in medical expenses, lost earnings and reduced productivity.

The good news is that arthritis is not inevitable or untreatable. For osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, prevention is possible.  Relief is available for many forms of the disease. And more promising treatments are on the horizon.

The theme of this year’s World Arthritis Day is “Move to Improve”.

That is because one of the best things you can do to manage arthritis is to simply get moving. Physical activity is good for your body. It decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability. Even a small amount of extra activity around the home can make a big difference for your health.

That’s why we in the Obama Administration are supporting community efforts across the country to promote active lifestyles.  And it’s why as part of the Affordable Care Act we made a historic investment in preventive care for seniors.

To learn more about new benefits for people dealing with arthritis, visit Healthcare.gov.  And for tips on what you can do to prevent arthritis and how you can get involved in finding ways to conquer the disease, visit www.cdc.gov/arthritis.

Together, we can reduce the pain and suffering that arthritis causes for millions of Americans every day.

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Last revised: October 12, 2011