FOR RELEASE: May 3 , 2005
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Oklahoma Arthritis Network Announces Arthritis Month Activities

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), there are 731,000 people in Oklahoma who have been diagnosed by their doctors to have arthritis. The 2003 Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Survey showed that 26.8 percent of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis reported they were inactive. The survey also indicated that of those adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, 32.1 percent were obese and another 35.6 percent were overweight.

The Oklahoma Arthritis Network has several activities planned in May, Arthritis Month, to educate the public about arthritis and how to improve their health. “These activities are designed to draw attention to the need for people with arthritis and related conditions to become more active in their own arthritis care,” said Marisa New, occupational therapist and coordinator of the OSDH Arthritis Prevention and Education Program.

Among the activities planned for Arthritis Month are the following:
May 11: “Women and Arthritis” Satellite Broadcast
Oklahoma State Department of Health, Room 328
1000 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City
To register call (405) 271-9444, ext. 56520

May 18: College of Public Health Grand Rounds, Oklahoma City
“Physical Activity for Chronic Disease Management”
Karen Ross, MD and Assistant Professor
Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine
For more information: (405) 271-2700

May 19: “Northwest Oklahoma Doesn’t Sit Still for Arthritis”, Alva
This workshop will emphasize the importance of physical activity and the Arthritis Foundation programs that benefit those with arthritis.
Northwest Technology Center, Alva, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
For more information: (800) 211-2116

May 23: Week of May 23 -- AF PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise)
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Wellness Center, Alva
May For more information: (800) 211-2116

May 26: OU College of Public Health Alumni Association
11:30 a.m. at the Faculty House, Oklahoma City
“The Latest Drug Therapy Dilemmas in Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases” presented by Mark Stratton, PharmD, OU College of Pharmacy
For more information: (405) 271-2700

The Arthritis Foundation Oklahoma Chapter has planned a series of Arthritis Awareness Walks. To register or for more information contact: Shona Lennon (405) 936-3366 or (800) 627-5486 to get a registration form. For on-line registration view www.arthritis.org . The scheduled walks include:
May 7: Ardmore Walk
May 14: Enid Walk
May 21: Oklahoma City, Norman and Stillwater, Walks

Arthritis Foundation Eastern Oklahoma Chapter has planned the following events.
May 14: Pryor Walk
May 23: Public Educations Program at the Hardesty Library in Tulsa
May 30: Partnering with Community Care Senior Center to offer an Arthritis and Exercise Educational Talk, Tulsa

For more information about additional activities occurring in your area, contact OSDH Arthritis Prevention and Education Program Coordinator Marisa New at 405/271-9444, ext. 56410 or marisan@health.ok.gov .

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