No surprise, as
the plague of obesity in America sends health care costs into the stratosphere, the tab for arthritis and related conditions has exploded to
$128 billion, according to the latest estimates for 2003 from the CDC.
In fact, the direct costs associated with arthritis in 2003 alone rose to about $81 billion, or slightly less than the $86 million the United States spent entirely on arthritis in 1997! Indirect costs for the latest estimates -- taking into account variables like lost wages -- amounted to $47 billion.
Even worse, 46 million Americans sought treatment for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in 2003, a number expect expected to climb by 8 million by 2015.
These frightening numbers have everything to do with the government recommending Americans turn to self-management programs to better handle their pain. Fortunately, you have plenty of safe, healthy options on Web site to manage your pain and fight arthritis:
USA Today January 11, 2007