@article {7315, title = {Correlates of improvement in walking ability in older persons in the United States.}, journal = {Am J Public Health}, volume = {99}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Mar}, pages = {533-9}, publisher = {99}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed factors associated with improvement in walking ability among respondents to the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 6574 respondents aged 53 years or older who reported difficulty walking several blocks, 1 block, or across the room in 2000 or 2002. We examined associations between improvement (versus no change, deterioration, or death) and baseline health status, chronic conditions, baseline walking difficulty, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and behavioral risk factors.

RESULTS: Among the 25\% of the study population with baseline walking limitations, 29\% experienced improved walking ability, 40\% experienced no change in walking ability, and 31\% experienced deteriorated walking ability or died. In a multivariate analysis, we found positive associations between walking improvement and more recent onset and more severe walking difficulty, being overweight, and engaging in vigorous physical activity. A history of diabetes, having any difficulty with activities of daily living, and being a current smoker were all negatively associated with improvement in walking ability. After we controlled for baseline health, improvement in walking ability was equally likely among racial and ethnic minorities and those with lower socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to reduce smoking and to increase physical activity may help improve walking ability in older Americans.

}, keywords = {Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Confidence Intervals, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Multivariate Analysis, Odds Ratio, Overweight, Smoking Prevention, Social Marketing, Socioeconomic factors, United States, Walking}, issn = {1541-0048}, doi = {10.2105/AJPH.2008.142927}, author = {Joseph Feinglass and Song, Jing and Larry M Manheim and Semanik, Pamela and Rowland W Chang and Dorothy D Dunlop} } @article {6851, title = {The Costs of Arthritis}, journal = {Arthritis and Rheumatism}, volume = {49}, year = {2003}, pages = {101-113}, publisher = {49}, abstract = {Arthritis and rheumatic conditions (i.e., arthritis) are responsible for major health care expenditures and disability burdens. The impact of arthritis is not restrained by national boundaries. It is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions and is a leading cause of disability in Australia (1), Canada (2,3), Europe (4), the United Kingdom (5), and the United States (6,7), affecting an estimated 3 million Australians, 6 million Canadians, 8 million in the UK, almost 43 million people in the US, and 103 million across Europe. With the aging of the baby boomers, these numbers and the associated disabilities will quickly escalate. By 2020 in the US alone, arthritis is projected to affect 60 million people, and the activities of 12 million people may be limited by arthritis (6). The growing magnitude of people affected by arthritis motivates the need to review what is known about its national costs to identify areas where current information is lacking. In addition, it is important to determine targets for public health efforts that will reduce the costs of and burden from arthritis. This knowledge will facilitate planning research agendas that support informed public policy decisions.}, keywords = {Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare}, doi = {10.1002/art.10913}, author = {Dorothy D Dunlop and Larry M Manheim and Yelin, Edward and Song, Jing and Rowland W Chang} }