[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING MAY AS NATIONAL ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2010

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, May is National Arthritis Awareness Month 
and I rise to let Americans know how they can prevent and decrease the 
pain and disability of arthritis. Arthritis is the nation's most common 
cause of disability in the U.S., affecting 46 million adults and 
300,000 children. Arthritis is also a common co-morbidity for most 
other chronic diseases. For example, 57% of adults with heart disease 
and 52% of adults with diabetes also have arthritis.
  There are over 100 types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most 
common form, affects 27 million Americans, often causing severe pain 
and disability, interfering with work productivity, and resulting in 
joint replacement. The risk of osteoarthritis increases rapidly 
beginning at age 45, affecting many people in their prime working 
years. The combination of the aging Baby Boomer population, increased 
longevity, and the obesity epidemic are creating a ``perfect storm'' 
for dramatically increasing the prevalence of osteoarthritis, 
especially in women.
  Despite this troubling prediction, there is some good news. Numerous 
new initiatives are underway to address these issues. The National 
Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis, developed through a 
partnership of the Arthritis Foundation, the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention and 50 other organizations, a blueprint for 
actions to stem the tide of osteoarthritis. The Agenda states the need 
to increase availability of evidence-based intervention strategies; 
increase public health attention for prevention and disease management; 
increase research to better understand disease risk factors and other 
effective disease management strategies.
  In addition, a new national public service advertising campaign is 
being undertaken and the Arthritis Foundation is encouraging adults to 
take simple steps to prevent or decrease the pain and disability of 
osteoarthritis. The new multimedia campaign features messages about the 
important role that physical activity and weight reduction play in 
preventing and managing osteoarthritis. The related website--
www.fightarthritispain.org--includes important information, like an 
osteoarthritis risk assessment tool for people to find out their risk 
level and learn how to fight osteoarthritis pain, and tips, videos and 
podcasts on how to get moving.
  While these are important steps to help individuals cope with 
arthritis, more needs to be done to research the causes and new 
interventions for the disease. That is why I am a strong supporter of 
H.R. 1210, the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act. This bill, 
which currently has 173 bipartisan co-sponsors, would invest in needed 
arthritis research, provider training, and public education efforts. I 
encourage my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of this legislation 
to support all Americans currently living with arthritis, and those who 
will be diagnosed in the future.

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