Open AccessA Public Health Approach to Addressing Arthritis in Older Adults: The Most Common Cause of Disability
Author(s) -
Jennifer Hootman,
Charles G. Helmick,
Teresa J. Brady
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2011.300423
Subject(s) - public health , gerontology , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , obesity , arthritis , independence (probability theory) , population , environmental health , nursing , statistics , mathematics , immunology
Arthritis is highly prevalent and is the leading cause of disability among older adults in the United States owing to the aging of the population and increases in the prevalence of risk factors (e.g., obesity). Arthritis will play a large role in the health-related quality of life, functional independence, and disability of older adults in the upcoming decades. We have emphasized the role of the public health system in reducing the impact of this large and growing public health problem, and we have presented priority public health actions.