It’s Arthritis Awareness Month-Wear Blue

This May during Arthritis Awareness Month, wear blue to support awareness of the disease that affects nearly one-quarter of all U.S. adults.  

Chances are if you’re reading this blog post you already know something about osteoarthritis. As the most common form of “wear and tear” arthritis, it’s one of the primary reasons people seek out an orthopedic specialist to find answers and solutions pertaining to the chronic pain and stiffness they live with, which sometimes makes it hard to move or causes their joints to become swollen.

There are many different types of arthritis and, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, arthritis affects nearly 60 million Americans, translating into more than one in five people who suffer with the disease.  Of those, about 220,000 are children.  In fact, arthritic conditions have consistently been the leading cause of disability nationwide over the years, with related medical care and the resulting loss in earnings totaling billions of dollars annually.

Known primarily as a debilitating condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, arthritis can also affect the immune system and some internal organs of the body, the latter of which is most often seen in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

Not so many years ago, there wasn’t much information available about arthritis, leaving those afflicted to live out their lives in terrible pain, suffering and disability.  Aspirin was more or less the only available medication to help treat the condition.

In 1948, the Arthritis Foundation was created with the goal of creating a national program to fund arthritis-related medical research and provide better medical services for arthritis patients.  After Bob Hope chaired the very first arthritis fundraising campaign that netted over $500,000, other big-time celebrities of that era got involved, including Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews and Walt Disney.

After decades of advocacy by the Arthritis Foundation, “Arthritis Awareness Month” was created through a May 1972 Presidential proclamation to help educate Americans, generate support for medical research and reduce the economic toll on the nation caused by arthritis-related suffering.

Thanks to continued advocacy and celebrity support, the National Arthritis Act became law in 1975.  Among other landmarks, it created the National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases to study the problem of arthritis and set aside funds for arthritis research, care and education. The innovation of joint replacement surgical techniques followed, along with the creation of a whole new class of anti-inflammatory medications.

Decades later, when the concept of wearing ribbons to raise awareness for disease became popular, blue ribbons evolved as the choice for arthritis, adding a lively touch to the many fundraising and educational activities happening annually nationwide.

So even if you’re lucky enough not to suffer with arthritic joint aches and pains, feel free to proudly wear blue in May to remind others who struggle with arthritis that help is available, whether it involves prevention, pain management through simple lifestyle changes, or joint replacement surgery.  With everyone supporting the cause, we move closer to discovering a cure for arthritis someday.