World Arthritis Day, October 12, calls attention to a global problem in need of better public awareness: how exercise and education can reduce the impact of the disease. And there's little time to waste: according to a 2016 study, by 2040, an estimated 25% of Americans will have arthritis, and 1 in 10 will experience a disability related to the condition.
In honor of the day, here are 5 great resources that can help you develop community-based arthritis programs.
Understand the basics of evidence-based community arthritis programs.
What physical activity programs should you be looking for? Why recommend one program over another? What do the programs have in common? This quick reference guide from APTA helps you learn the lay of the land.
Find the best fit for you and your patients.
A program's target population, program length, class size, availability, and instructor requirements, can all be important factors in deciding which program would work best for you. APTA's decision aid can help narrow down the options.
Bring patients and other community members on-board with resources from MoveForwardPT.com.
APTA's consumer-focused website helps to explain the importance of arthritis programs, and provides an overview of some of the most highly regarded offerings from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Arthritis Foundation, the Aquatic Exercise Association (, and others.
Get help from the experts.
APTA is a founding member of the US Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI), a multidisciplinary education and advocacy group that provides extensive resources on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. The USBJI's "Experts in Arthritis" webpage is loaded with videos and other public education resources that can help you help your patients and others understand the disease and the role that exercise can play in countering its effects.
Dive into a website that's all-things-arthritis.
As a member of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA), APTA helped to create some of the content and educational offerings available on this expansive site built for both consumers and clinicians. Resources include monthly "lunch and learn" webinars, information for providers, and research roundups.