Latest news with #ArthritisFoundation
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AOFAS and the Arthritis Foundation Launch Training Program to Advance Ankle Arthritis Care
The program marks second partnership between the two organizations SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and the Arthritis Foundation are proud to announce the first cohort of participants for the Foot and Ankle Arthritis Development Program. This new initiative offers medical students and residents a unique opportunity to gain advanced training, mentoring, and exposure to foot and ankle arthritis care. Congratulations to the seven selected participants: Rodrigo Encinas, MD, 3rd Year Resident, Orlando Health-Jewett Orthopaedic Institute, Florida Gabriel Gonzalez Diaz, MS, 4th Year Medical Student, Ponce Health Sciences University, Puerto Rico Alexandra Krez, MD, 2nd Year Resident, Hofstra University/Northwell Health, New York Ramiro Lopez, BS, 4th Year Medical Student, Mayo Clinic, Florida Sarah Lu, BA, 4th Year Medical Student, California University of Science and Medicine, California Alana O'Mara, MD, 2nd Year Resident, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Elizabeth Rich, MD, CPT, 3rd Year Resident, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Maryland "We're thrilled to welcome the first cohort of medical students and residents to this exciting new program in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation," said Jonathon D. Backus, MD, chair of the AOFAS Committee on Outside Collaborations. "This opportunity will allow them to deepen their understanding of arthritis of foot and ankle, connect with experts in field, and hopefully inspire them to pursue a career in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery." As part of the program, the participants will tour facilities and labs at leading academic medical centers, including Resurgens Orthopaedics and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and Mercy Medical Center and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. They will also attend the 2025 AOFAS Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Michelle M. McLeod, PhD, director of Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Programs at the Arthritis Foundation, said the organization is enthusiastic about the opportunity to support this program that will expand access to high-quality foot and ankle orthopaedic training for medical students and residents. "By investing in their education and mentorship, we are not only empowering the next generation of surgeons but also helping to build a more diverse and inclusive future for orthopaedic care across the country," she said. This initiative marks the second partnership between the two organizations. In 2023, the Arthritis Foundation and AOFAS announced the recipients of the first-ever AF/AOFAS Ankle Arthritis Think Tank Research Grants. These grants provided nearly $600,000 in funding to support innovative clinical research that advances knowledge toward treatments to stop or slow ankle osteoarthritis. For more information about the program, visit About Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic SurgeonsFoot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consist of four years of medical school, five years of postgraduate residency, and a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists care for patients of all ages, performing reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treating sports injuries, and managing foot and ankle trauma. About the AOFASThe American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) mobilizes our dynamic community of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons to improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy. As the premier global organization for foot and ankle care, AOFAS delivers exceptional events and resources for continuous education, funds and promotes innovative research, and broadens patient understanding of foot and ankle conditions and treatments. By emphasizing collaboration and excellence, AOFAS inspires ever-increasing levels of professional performance leading to improved patient outcomes. For more information visit the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society online at About the Arthritis FoundationThe Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As a Champion of Yes, it's the Arthritis Foundation's mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care, and join the fight for a cure — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to cure arthritis, visit View original content: SOURCE American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The seaside spot crowned Britain's most obese town
Obesity. An epidemic. A modern scourge. A complex, painful subject wrapped in layers of shame, judgment and defensiveness. So how does it feel to live in Hartlepool, the town with the highest proportion of adults and children who are so overweight their health is at risk? 'Everybody round here is fat and getting fatter, and I feel really, really sad about it,' says John Betey, a moustached 64-year-old, leaning on the mobility scooter he needs to get around Hartlepool town centre. 'I'm embarrassed that I'm 19st – but I don't want to be. I got made redundant 12 years ago from my job as a machine operator, but now I'm too overweight to get a new job.' This seaside town in County Durham carries the unenviable crown of Britain's most obese town. Numbers crunched by The Telegraph show that the combined obesity figures for adults and children is 33.5 per cent of the population. In England as a whole it is 23.8 per cent. Obesity, of course, is at the extreme end of the scale. Across England as a whole, 64.5 per cent of the adult population is overweight and/or obese. In Hartlepool the damning figure is 77.2 per cent. But sobering statistics only tell part of the story; they don't reflect the lives blighted, the life chances curtailed, the increased risk of multiple diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, asthma and cancer. Dig a little deeper elsewhere into statistics from the Department of Heath and Social Care and the data becomes even more troubling: 27.9 per cent of reception pupils in Hartlepool are classed as overweight, according to the latest available statistics from 2023/24, with 13.9 per cent obese. In England as a whole, 22.1 per cent are overweight and 9.6 per cent are classed as obese. By year six, more than a quarter (26.7 per cent) of 10 and 11-year-olds in Hartlepool are living with obesity; above the national average of 22.1 per cent for that age group. I freely admit that before I visit Hartlepool I am full of trepidation. How to even begin a conversation about such an emotive issue with strangers in the street? Is there any way to avoid causing offence? Astonishingly, everyone is more than happy to talk – and what they have to say is deeply depressing. Take Betey, a father-of-four with seven grandchildren, who suffers from arthritis and had a pacemaker fitted earlier this year. He doesn't know for sure if his health problems are related to his size, but it seems highly likely. According to the Arthritis Foundation, every pound of extra weight adds 4lb of force on a person's joints. Moreover, fat is chemically active and releases inflammation-causing proteins. 'I can walk but not very far, which is why I need the scooter. And I can't go up the stairs at home, so I have to get help from my son. It's not a good feeling but if I have the money I'll order a Chinese – chicken curry, chips and fried rice – two nights a week,' he says with a shrug. 'Then I come out into town and when I look around me I feel the people of Hartlepool could do so much better, I could do so much better – but we need help.' His views are echoed by Carol Bickerdyke, 70, out walking her poodle, Archie, with her husband, Desmond. They moved here after a lifetime working in Portugal, because property was cheap. She's a fan of the town, with its unexpectedly grand – if largely neglected and run-down – Victorian architecture, but is unsurprised that Hartlepool is an obesity black spot. Time and again, statistics show that the North East and the Midlands have the highest numbers of people living with obesity, which is linked to social deprivation, stress, highly processed junk food and a lack of exercise. 'My daughter is 43 and she is always on a diet because she's quite big,' confides Bickerdyke. 'The problem is the availability of cheap fast food. If you have two or three kids to feed and not much money, it's cheaper to buy a frozen ready-made lasagne or frozen chips and fish fingers than to serve up a healthy meal every day. These are processed foods full of salt and fat and sugar, but people have no idea – there needs to be greater education.' Far beyond Hartlepool, the UK at large is in crisis, with higher rates of obesity than other G7 nations such as Germany, France, Italy and Japan. Internationally, it languishes below Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Armenia. Junk food advertising, the prevalence of takeaways and the volume of inexpensive processed foods available in supermarkets have all been blamed for fuelling the crisis, along with sedentary, screen-based lifestyles. 'Despite countless policy initiatives aimed at improving the situation, obesity levels among children in England remain at harmfully elevated levels,' says Dr Liz Fisher, a senior fellow and the children and young person lead at the Nuffield Trust. 'Obese children today are developing health problems that once only affected adults, including Type 2 diabetes. 'Local areas with more childhood poverty, lower breastfeeding rates and poor access to green spaces have higher child obesity levels. Much of the evidence informing obesity policy to date has focused on the choices of individuals, but to get a grip on this issue, approaches with more emphasis on wider social and economic factors are desperately needed, at both a national and local level.' The annual cost to the NHS of treating obesity-related ill health is estimated at £6.5 billion by the Department of Health and Social Care. Meanwhile, the cost to the wider economy is £100 billion a year, according to a 2024 report from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), with those who are obese but still work less mobile, less productive and more likely to take time off due to ill health. 'Poor public health is holding back the UK economy, and obesity is playing a significant role. The poorest regions across England are feeling this epidemic the worst,' Jamie O'Halloran, a senior research fellow at the think tank, said last year. The IPPR clearly pinpointed those very regions; four out of five of the parliamentary constituencies with the highest levels of obesity and economic inactivity were in the North. But what is the solution? For those of us reared on the mantra of 'five a day', it seems unbelievable that entire generations remain ignorant about the importance of fruit and vegetables and of how to cook nutritious meals from scratch. The demise of both decent school dinners and domestic science as a subject has had an impact – and no matter how hard Jamie Oliver tries to convey the speed and ease of cooking on a budget in Channel 4 shows such as £1 Wonders, that message seemingly still has not spread to communities across Britain in general and Hartlepool in particular. Or if it has, local people are none the less still making poor food choices. 'People judge you as lazy and stupid and lacking in self-control,' says a 27-year-old mother-of-two who declined to be named. 'I just can't lose the baby weight, and being treated as a second-class citizen is really hurtful – so then you find yourself comfort eating. 'I can buy a multipack of crisps for £1, but an apple costs the best part of 50p, which seems crazy. It's a vicious circle. There's no point just telling a fat person they're fat; what we really need is help to break that cycle as well as access to better food that's affordable.' Is she aware that adults who become overweight before 30 are almost doubling their risk of an early death? That's the grim conclusion from this month's European Congress on Obesity, held in Malaga. And if she were – would it alter anything? 'The perception persists that 'these people did it themselves and they should live with the consequences',' says Prof Paul Gately, who specialises in exercise and obesity at Leeds Beckett University and is the chief executive of Obesity UK. 'But obesity is incredibly complex and the solution isn't just exercising more and eating less – if it was that simple we wouldn't have a global health problem. Politicians try to tackle it, but their efforts, however well-intended, are far too piecemeal. Between six and 18 months later they see their strategy isn't working as intended, so they back off.' There have been more than 700 policies aimed at tackling obesity introduced in the past 30 years and yet the problem is getting bigger every year. The rising number of children now affected has ratcheted up a sense of urgency among medical experts, yet successive governments have failed to grasp the nettle and pump proper investment into early prevention and treatment. Just what will it take to tip the scales? 'We don't just need one good idea. We need hundreds of them all connected, all moving things in the same direction,' says Prof Gately. 'There's rightly a conversation now around weight-loss jabs, but the NHS is already on its knees and can't afford it. Britain needs cross-party agreement, a department dedicated to tackling obesity and a 15-year plan that is fully funded.' As I walk past Kwicksnax café, Cash Generator and Betfred, the one word repeated to me again and again is 'help'. The people of Hartlepool want help. On the walkway from Middleton Grange shopping mall, I meet young chefs Luke Peterson, 19, and Conor Wilson, 20, laden down with Primark bags full of holiday gear. Both are studying hospitality and catering at college and are about to travel to Greece for a placement, where they will learn how to prepare international food. 'I work part-time in a takeaway and we have customers who order burgers or pizza every single day of the week,' says Peterson. 'And because it's delivered they don't even need to leave the house. I know I have a tendency to eat junk, so I am very strict with myself and I go to the gym. But here people feel it's too late or too much effort and they just let themselves go; the worst bit is seeing how overweight their kids are.' His friend used to work at The Green Bean Cafe in Sunderland, and loved it. 'It was a really nice feeling knowing you were preparing great food from fresh ingredients and giving your customers the very best,' says Wilson. 'I'd love to open something like that here, but it would probably have to be subsidised in some way so people could afford it.' For its part, Hartlepool borough council is aware of the health emergency it faces and last month revealed it was working on a childhood obesity action plan, to include cooking lessons and providing cooking equipment, while noting it is 'a very complex subject to deal with'. Its director of public health, Craig Blundred, announced: 'What we're hoping to do through the action plan is work much more closely with children's services and with partners in the health service to try to understand why we're seeing increases [in obesity]. 'We understand some of the causes but we don't fully understand why Hartlepool has a much higher level for children that are actually experiencing that.' Out on the streets of Hartlepool, the mood remains sombre. Students Grace Haran, 21, and her boyfriend, Jack Maiden, 20, are both doing college access courses to study nursing and physiotherapy respectively at university. 'I feel so sad for the kids you see who are overweight and obese,' says Haran. 'They don't have any choice about what they are given to eat and it's having a hugely detrimental effect on their health.' The couple agree that widespread use of weigh-loss drugs is not ideal but could be a useful means to an end. Maiden believes they should be taken in conjunction with an exercise and healthy eating plan. 'Quick results can be a real incentive,' he says. 'But there needs to be hard work as well or a course of jabs will only ever be a temporary fix that changes nothing in the long run.' The same could be said of local action plans without serious backup from central government. From its wrecking ball impact on the NHS to its £100 billion drain on the economy, obesity is a long-term, society-wide issue. It needs a long-term, society-wide solution. The people of Hartlepool are in crisis and in desperate need of hope as well as help. Will they get it any time soon? Right now, I fear there's fat chance. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
ZetrOZ Systems Announces Partnership with Arthritis Foundation to Transform Arthritis Patient Education
The developer of sustained acoustic medicine technology and the sam® wearable ultrasound device and number one resource for arthritis information will support the Foundation's efforts to provide resources and education to patients, families and caregivers. TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT / ACCESS Newswire / May 2, 2025 / ZetrOZ Systems and the Arthritis Foundation announce a partnership with the potential to transform pain management for the 60 million adults in the U.S. living with arthritis. ZetrOZ Systems will work with the Foundation to raise awareness of pain management and treatment options for people with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. ZetrOZ Systems will sponsor the Foundation's upcoming "Arthritis Explained" podcast and support its national support group program. For more than 75 years, the Arthritis Foundation has been the nation's leader in advocacy, research and support for people with arthritis, a debilitating joint inflammation disease. Its mission is to drive funding for research toward a cure and new treatments for arthritis, to advocate for policies that eliminate barriers to arthritis care, and to help patients and their families find community and support through Arthritis Foundation resources. ZetrOZ Systems, based in Connecticut, is the inventor of sustained acoustic medicine and the sam® wearable ultrasound unit. Sustained acoustic medicine is a long-duration, continuous, multi-hour, high frequency ultrasound treatment defined in 48 U.S. and global patents and that has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating soft-tissue injuries. The treatment has been proven effective in 30 Level 1-5 clinical studies for treating osteoarthritis and other conditions, and through millions of treatments provided annually to patients across the United States. "This partnership brings together two organizations with a shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with osteoarthritis," said Beth Aulwes, Director of National Partnerships with the Arthritis Foundation. "As the leading resource of arthritis information and resources for patients, we welcome corporate partners like ZetrOZ who are committed to helping us provide education, resources and support for our patient community, including military veterans who are more likely to receive an arthritis diagnosis." "ZetrOZ Systems is honored to stand alongside one of the most trusted voices in arthritis care as ZetrOZ Systems works toward our longtime goal to help 100 million people manage pain without the use of opioids," said George K. Lewis, founder and CEO of ZetrOZ Systems and inventor of sustained acoustic medicine. Arthritis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States, affecting over one in five adults, more than are affected by diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that nearly 60 million adults and hundreds of thousands of children in the U.S. are living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or related musculoskeletal diseases. Arthritis is also associated with dispensed opioid prescriptions and opioid use disorder, being commonly prescribed to treat pain resulting from both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, despite questions about opioids' efficacy and potential for leading to addiction. ZetrOZ Systems' sam® technology offers a way to treat arthritis pain without the use of potentially addictive painkillers. Sustained acoustic medicine and the sam® device work by generating continuous ultrasound waves in soft tissue, which reduces inflammation, increases blood vessel diameters, and improves blood flow. That in turn increases oxygenated hemoglobin at the site and removes cytokine enzymes and cellular waste. The result is more rapid healing and reduced pain. Multiple studies have demonstrated the efficacy of sustained acoustic medicine in treating soft-tissue injuries, including forms of arthritis. An article published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research reported on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of patients with knee osteoarthritis. The group receiving sustained acoustic medicine treatment saw significant improvements in both pain reduction and restored joint function compared to the placebo group. The authors concluded: "Long-duration low-intensity ultrasound significantly reduced pain and improved joint function in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis knee pain." "By working with the Arthritis Foundation, we're building momentum for a movement toward safer, smarter, and more accessible pain management," Lewis said. "We have the opportunity to change how arthritis is understood and treated across the country." For more information, please visit or About ZetrOZ Systems ZetrOZ Systems is leading healing innovations in sports medicine, developing wearable bioelectronic devices for the delivery of sustained acoustic medicine (sam®). Researched and funded by the federal government, ZetrOZ is built on the proprietary medical technology of 48 patents and is the exclusive manufacturer and developer of the sam® product line, which is designed for the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. About the Arthritis FoundationThe Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As Champions of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation has a mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation not only champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, but it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care, and join the fight to conquer arthritis - uniting hearts, minds, and resources to change the future of arthritis. Contact Information Catherine Hoblin Media Contactchoblin@
NDTV
29-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Try These Exercise To Reduce Pain In Joints
Joint pain is a common issue affecting people of all ages, often caused by arthritis, injury, overuse, or simply ageing. While medication and physiotherapy are standard treatments, regular movement and the right kind of exercise can significantly reduce stiffness and improve joint health. According to the Arthritis Foundation, low-impact exercises help strengthen the muscles around joints, enhance flexibility, and reduce inflammation. However, choosing safe and joint-friendly workouts is essential. This guide outlines simple exercises that can be done at home or under supervision to help manage and alleviate joint pain over time. Why movement matters for painful joints Contrary to popular belief, resting sore joints too much can worsen stiffness and decrease mobility. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends low-impact physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week to ease joint pain, especially in conditions like osteoarthritis. Movement improves circulation, strengthens muscles around joints, and helps manage weight, all vital for joint health. Here are eleven exercises to reduce joint pain effectively. 1. Walking A simple, accessible exercise, walking improves circulation and strengthens leg muscles, reducing the burden on the knees and hips. Start with short walks and gradually increase time and pace. 2. Swimming or water aerobics Water-based activities reduce pressure on the joints while providing resistance to strengthen muscles. Swimming also enhances cardiovascular health, flexibility, and mobility, making it ideal for arthritis patients. 3. Chair yoga Gentle yoga movements can stretch stiff joints and reduce tension. Chair yoga is particularly beneficial for seniors or those with limited mobility, improving balance and joint flexibility without strain. 4. Cycling or stationary biking A low-impact cardiovascular exercise, biking strengthens the knee and hip joints while improving endurance. Stationary bikes are ideal for indoor, joint-safe workouts year-round. 5. Tai Chi Often called 'meditation in motion,' Tai Chi combines slow, graceful movements with deep breathing. It improves balance, flexibility, and joint function, especially helpful for those with chronic pain. 6. Stretching routines Regular stretching increases the range of motion and reduces stiffness. Focus on the neck, shoulders, knees, and hips. Always warm up the body and avoid overstretching. 7. Resistance band workouts Strength training using light resistance bands targets muscle groups around affected joints, helping reduce stress on bones. Start with gentle resistance and increase gradually based on comfort. 8. Heel slides This simple floor or bed exercise helps relieve knee joint pain. Lie down, slide one heel toward your buttocks while keeping the other leg extended, then switch. Repeat slowly. 9. Hand squeezes with a soft ball Joint pain isn't limited to knees and hips, fingers and wrists often suffer too. Squeezing a stress ball can help maintain grip strength and mobility in hand joints. 10. Wall sits This strengthens the quadriceps and supports knee joints. Slide down a wall until in a seated position (like an invisible chair), hold for a few seconds, and return. Repeat as comfortable. 11. Pelvic tilts Useful for lower back and hip joint pain, pelvic tilts stretch and stabilise the spine. Lie flat with knees bent, gently tilt the pelvis upward, and hold before releasing. Living with joint pain doesn't mean living without movement. When chosen wisely, regular exercise can be one of the most effective ways to manage and reduce pain. Before starting any fitness regime, consult a healthcare provider or physiotherapist for personalised guidance. Stay active, move safely, and let movement become a part of your healing process. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
