Arthritis No. 1 cause of disability

Arthritis in its many manifestations is the most common health problem in Missouri and the United States, and the No. 1 cause of disability, according to the Missouri Department of Health.

The more than 100 forms of joint in-flammation and related conditions affect one in three Missourians.

Women are twice as likely to have it as men, and 3,000 children in Missouri suffer from the painful, debilitating condition.

That's why starting a new branch of the Arthritis Foundation of Western Mis-souri in Springfield is so important to Sara Coats, community relations coordinator for the Kansas City chapter of the foundation.

She was here for the Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk Dec. 15 that attracted more than 300 entrants. Proceeds benefited the arthritis foundation that serves the western half of the state and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

The emphasis of the fund-raiser and all the programs is to let arthritis sufferers know that "we are here for them. (We) try to improve their quality of life by offering programs and services throughout the area," Coats said.

A fledgling branch started in Spring-field in September withered when the woman heading it had to leave because of family illness, Coats said. But she is looking for a replacement because the foundation wants to get the word out about what it has to offer.

"There are three main outbound things we do an aquatics class that is water-based aerobics and is our most popular form of healing. (The water) is warm, warm, warm and feels very good for the joints, especially for (those with) osteoarthritis," Coats said.

The other outbound programs are support and education groups, and the PACE program People with Arthritis Can Exercise.

Support groups meet once or twice a month, depending on the group, she said. There are already several hundred such groups established, Coats said. The groups exchange information on treatment plans, how to deal with issues that arise because of the disease work and family problems for instance. Sometimes special speakers will educate the groups.

PACE is a land-based aerobics program with "very slow movements that use a balance system," Coats said. "Research suggests that individuals that exercise have an improved quality of life because they have a lot more energy. It really helps individuals with arthritis to move your joints and not to let them become so stiff. (Exercise) is also great in prevention of arthritis," Coats added.

The foundation offers pamphlets on symptoms, treatment and a book on diet, because the relationship with diet is important, Coats said.

Each year the foundation sponsors forums with educational speakers, including dietitians. As part of her job, Coats gives presentations to businesses on how to be ergonomic and preventive in the workplace, and to organizations like Rotary and church groups, which often host exercise programs.

She said the foundation wants to educate the public in arthritis prevention. "This is what you can do right now. You might be 25 ... you may not have arthritis now, but this is the way we can help in the long term."

Coats organizes promotions such as the Jingle Bell Run/Walk held here and in Joplin. Coats takes fliers around, puts up posters and contacts the media for interviews.

She also is responsible for a 10-page quarterly newspaper, "Outreach," that is sent to 8,000 members in the 52 counties where foundation members reside.

Coats said people can join the national organization for $25 a year, which includes the bimonthly magazine, "Arthritis Today" as well as membership in the western chapter with its newspaper.

Coats also is the key photographer for the agency and helps maintain the Web site at www.arthritis.org.

A new task, that of advocacy before the state and federal legislature, has been added to her duties this year, "a really great challenge," Coats said.