The New York State Arthritis Program was created to help New Yorkers learn how to better manage their disease. The program has partnered with a variety of organizations to better inform the public about arthritis and how to live with the disease more effectively and comfortably.
In New York State, approximately 3.7 million (26.1%) adults live with arthritis and, of those, nearly 56% of New York adults aged 65 years and older, or 1.4 million, have arthritis. In 2003, the total direct and indirect costs of arthritis care in New York were $8.7 billion. These numbers are expected to increase as the state's population continues to age.
