Top 5 Takeaways

1. Increased Attendance: In 2019, 16.2% of adults with arthritis attended a self-management class, an increase from 11.4% in 2014.
2. Provider Counseling: 69.3% of adults with arthritis received counseling from health care providers to be physically active, up from 61.0% in 2014.
3. State and Demographic Variations: Attendance and counseling rates varied significantly by state and sociodemographic characteristics, with lower rates among men, those with lower educational attainment, and residents of rural areas.
4. Health Benefits: Self-management education and physical activity counseling can significantly reduce pain and improve health outcomes for arthritis patients.
5. Public Health Recommendations: Health care providers should be equipped with tools to counsel arthritis patients and refer them to evidence-based programs to improve self-management and physical activity.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Lindsey M. Duca, pgz5@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Duca LM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, et al. Self-Management Education Class Attendance and Health Care Provider Counseling for Physical Activity Among Adults with Arthritis — United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1466–1471. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7042a2

Summary

This report analyzes data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to assess self-reported attendance in self-management education classes and receipt of health care provider counseling for physical activity among adults with arthritis. The findings show that 16.2% of adults with arthritis attended a self-management class, and 69.3% received counseling from health care providers to be physically active. These rates varied by state and demographic characteristics, with lower engagement observed among men, those with lower educational attainment, and residents of rural areas.

Methods

The study utilized data from the 2019 BRFSS, a state-based telephone survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Participants were identified as having arthritis based on self-reported diagnosis by a health care professional. The analysis included responses from 135,862 adults with arthritis. Prevalence rates for self-management class attendance and receipt of physical activity counseling were calculated and analyzed using age-adjusted logistic regression models to account for demographic differences.

Discussion

The analysis revealed significant variations in self-management class attendance and receipt of physical activity counseling across different states and demographic groups. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to increase engagement in these beneficial activities, particularly among men, individuals with lower educational attainment, and those living in rural areas. Health care providers play a crucial role in promoting these behaviors and should be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to effectively counsel and refer patients to evidence-based programs.

Conclusion

Improving self-management education class attendance and health care provider counseling for physical activity among adults with arthritis can lead to better health outcomes. Public health efforts should focus on equipping health care providers with the tools to counsel patients and refer them to evidence-based programs, with particular attention to demographic groups with lower engagement rates.

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