May Is National Arthritis Awareness Month
LET'S MOVE TOGETHER!
Encourage People to Move to Prevent and Treat Arthritis
Media Contact:
Carol Galbreath
Arthritis Foundation
404-965-7595
ATLANTA, May 1, 2009 - May is National Arthritis Awareness Month and the Arthritis Foundation is working to inform the public of the benefits of physical activity to ease the pain of arthritis or prevent some forms from developing.
 “Physical activity is a natural pain reliever for people with arthritis. It is our hope that the Let's Move Together movement will lead people to take action, both to improve their own lives and the lives of others with arthritis.” Patience White, MD, MA, chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation |
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Today, one in five Americans is living with the pain of arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that by the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million. Even more alarming is the fact that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying active through enjoyable physical activities such as walking.
Let's Move Together is designed to inspire people to move every day to prevent or treat arthritis, encouraging daily physical activity for better health and participation in their local Arthritis Walk -- an annual event that promotes fun and fitness.
"Physical activity, such as walking, is crucial to managing joint pain, improving mobility and reducing fatigue often associated with arthritis," said Patience White, M.D., chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation. "It is our hope that the Let's Move Together movement will lead people to take action, both to improve their own lives and the lives of others with arthritis."
Through the Let's Move Together Web site, www.letsmovetogether.org, the Arthritis Foundation provides tips, newsletters, podcasts, and other online tools including a new movement tracker to keep people motivated and on-track to achieving better overall health all year.
The Arthritis Foundation is also leveraging National Arthritis Awareness Month as an opportunity to kick off its Show Us Your Moves contest, asking participants to submit videos of their favorite ways to "move together." Entries can be submitted through the Let's Move Together Web site.
"Physical activity is a natural pain reliever for people with arthritis," added Dr. White. "Moving just 10 minutes, three times a day can ease joint pain, improve mobility and reduce fatigue often associated with arthritis."
To get Americans moving, each year the Arthritis Foundation hosts Arthritis Walk events around the country designed to educate Americans about the health benefits of walking while raising critical funds to fight arthritis. To sign up for Arthritis Walk events in your area, visit www.letsmovetogether.org.
About Let's Move Together
Let's Move Together is a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation that encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis. Moving just 30 minutes daily, even 10 to 15 minutes at a time, can ease joint pain, improve mobility and reduce fatigue often associated with arthritis. Daily movement also can improve the quality of life of the 46 million Americans living with arthritis. Let’s Move Together is a call to action: commit to participate in the Arthritis Walk, the signature annual fundraising event of the Arthritis Foundation, and move daily for better health. Start moving today: visit www.letsmovetogether.org.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country and offers programs that can decrease the pain and disability associated with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $400 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.
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