Preventing Arthritis

Weight control and injury prevention can lower the risk of osteoarthritis.
Pain and disability can be decreased through early diagnosis and appropriate management, including self-management activities such as physical activity.
The six-week Arthritis Self-Help Course has been shown to reduce pain by 20 percent and physician visits by 40 percent.
Five states-Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey and Ohio-have passed arthritis prevention and control legislation or have established programs to promote aggressive public health interventions that are reducing pain and disability.

Review your state's arthritis program at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/arthritis