Senior Director Community Impact
The first sign was a simple coffee mug.
One morning, stiff, aching fingers could no longer grip the handle, and it crashed to the kitchen floor. What seemed like a passing ache soon became a daily battle with arthritis—a disease that quietly steals mobility, independence, and the joy of everyday moments.
For another person, lying in bed, even the weight of a thin sheet against a big toe inflamed by gout felt like burning, hot flames of fire.
For millions of Americans, arthritis is far more than sore joints. It is a life-changing condition that impacts families, careers, and overall quality of life. Yet behind the pain are stories of resilience, hope, and people determined to keep moving forward despite the daily challenges.
Beyond the Joints: Understanding the “Whole Health” Disease
Many people view arthritis as an inevitable part of aging, but experts emphasize that there is much more to the condition than most realize.
Jazzmin McKay, Senior Director of Community Impact at the Arthritis Foundation, works to change how the public views the disease.
“Arthritis gets a bad break where most people think it’s, ‘Oh, it’s just this little condition. It’s something I’m going to get, or I already got it,’” McKay explains. “My job is to expand our reach and presence to the folks who need us.”
McKay highlights that people often fail to understand how arthritis links to various comorbidities—additional medical or psychological conditions present alongside a primary diagnosis.
“You talk about gout, for example. A lot of people look at gout as just an acute disease: ‘I have a flare, then it’s over.’”
However, arthritis is a “whole health” disease. Left unmanaged, certain forms of systemic arthritis can cause serious damage to internal organs, including the lungs and kidneys.
“We don’t want to look at just one body part,” McKay adds. “We have to look at whole health.”
What Is Arthritis?
At its most basic level, arthritis is inflammation of the joints. However, the term serves as an umbrella category for over 100 different diseases and related conditions.
While some forms stem from wear and tear, others are driven by autoimmune responses.
“You have the autoimmune side of it, which is inflammation of a variety of things,” says McKay. “You can have inflammation not only of your joint, but your cartilage, the fluid, and the membrane around it. It’s inflammation inside your body.”
Key Types of Arthritis You Should Know
Understanding the specific type of arthritis is critical for effective treatment, pain management, physical activity, and mental health support.
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is primarily caused by joint wear and tear over time rather than systemic inflammation.
2. Gout
An extremely painful type of inflammatory arthritis, gout occurs when excess uric acid builds up in the body and forms sharp crystals in the joints. While some people experience isolated flares, others suffer from recurring long-term symptoms.
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that attacks the joints and can damage organs, including the eyes. Early intervention and effective therapies are vital to preventing debilitating joint damage.
4. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Linked to the autoimmune skin condition psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis impacts both the skin and joints. Because its symptoms often mimic other conditions, PsA can be challenging to diagnose accurately.
5. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Arthritis isn’t just an adult disease. Close to 300,000 children and teens in the United States live with juvenile arthritis or pediatric rheumatic conditions, which can affect skin, eyes, and internal organs.
Community Support and Overcoming Healthcare Disparities
As the nation’s #1 cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million adults and hundreds of thousands of children across the United States.
However, the burden is not shared equally. Arthritis impacts underserved communities more severely due to social determinants of health, such as limited access to specialized care and delayed diagnoses.
To bridge this gap, the Arthritis Foundation actively builds grassroots relationships, raises public awareness, and provides free community resources:
- Local Outreach: Participating in community health fairs, wellness expos, and local awareness events.
- Virtual Connect Groups: Offering over 17 specialized support groups (including dedicated spaces for African American patients) to help individuals share experiences and build connections.
- Resource Access: Guiding patients toward evidence-based strategies for pain management, nutrition, and exercise.
Finding Support
Living with arthritis presents daily challenges, but no one has to navigate the journey alone. Through community connection, scientific research, and improved access to care, resources are available to help patients protect their mobility and regain their quality of life.
To learn more about local support networks or virtual Connect Groups, visit the Arthritis Foundation online.
- External Link: Visit the Arthritis Foundation Volunteer Portal to register and explore opportunities.
Discover how to volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation in St. Louis, Chicago, and Atlanta. Support events, advocacy, and Juvenile Arthritis programs.
#ArthritisAwareness, #LivingWithArthritis, #ChronicPain
