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Research has been found that arthritis and other rheumatic
conditions (AORC) are the primary cause of disability in the
United States, with direct and indirect costs reaching over
$116 billion--approximately 1.4 percent of the U.S. gross
domestic product.
More than 38 million U.S. adults suffer from arthritis or
other rheumatic conditions. Direct costs attributable to AORC
were estimated at $51.1 billion, while outpatient, inpatient,
prescription drug, and residual direct costs totaled $22.0
billion, $14.7 billion, $4.1 billion, and $6.5 billion, respectively.
The report highlights the need for state and local public
health officials to create more self-management programs so
that patients can achieve a higher quality of life while overall
costs to the United States would be reduced.
Centers
for Disease Control November 20, 2003
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