Self-Management Education Class Attendance and Health Care Provider Counseling for Physical Activity Among Adults with Arthritis — United States, 2019

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? Arthritis is a prevalent chronic condition. Self-management education and health care provider counseling encouraging engagement in physical activity can improve the health of adults with arthritis; however, in 2014, only 11.4% and 61.0% of arthritis patients reported engaging in each, respectively. What is added by this report? In 2019, a median of 16.2% adults with arthritis attended a self-management class, and 69.3% received provider counseling for physical activity. Prevalences differed by state and sociodemographic characteristics. What are the implications for public health practice? Equipping health care providers with the tools to counsel arthritis patients about the benefits of physical activity and self-management education and support referrals to evidence-based programs is needed to improve adoption of these behaviors. © 2021 Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.