Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis affects more than 5.6 million adults in California

Rheumatoid arthritis, a specific form of arthritis, affects 1.3 million adults in the US

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is a form of inflammatory arthritis. RA occurs when the immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one is also. The disease often affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand and can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints.

There are evidence-based self-management and physical activity programs that are safe and effective for people with arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides program recommendations for people with arthritis. In California, CAPP is implementing the following self-management and physical activity programs:

Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program (English and Spanish)
Chronic Disease Self Management Program
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arthritis Program Recommendations

Self-management and physical activity program recommendations for people with arthritis.