Arthritis in Vermont | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/wellness/arthritis
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Arthritis in Vermont | Vermont Department of Health
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Arthritis in Vermont
In this section:
Arthritis Resources for Health Professionals
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a catch-all term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. There are more than 100
types of arthritis
, the most common form being
osteoarthritis
or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees. Other common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. Symptoms of arthritis are pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints.
Health care providers please also visit the
Health Resources for Health Care Providers page
.
Who is affected by arthritis?
Nearly four in ten Vermont adults 40 years or older have arthritis (40%). It is more common in Vermonters over the age of 65, among women, and among people of lower socio-economic status. Arthritis affects people of all racial and ethnic groups and is on the rise as the population ages. Among Vermont adults with arthritis, 4 in 5 have at least one other chronic condition such as hypertension, depression or diabetes.
To learn more about how many Vermonters are diagnosed with or aware of how to prevent, treat, or manage arthritis, see this brief -
Arthritis: The most common chronic disease among Vermont adults
.
Preventing arthritis
There is no sure way to prevent arthritis but there are steps you can take to limit your risk, delay the onset, or limit its impact. There are some factors you can’t change, like gender, family history and age—and there are other factors that you have control over like tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor diet which contribute to the incidence and severity of arthritis.
Quitting tobacco use
, eating varied and nutritious foods, and being physically active can help delay the onset of arthritis.
Support workshops for Vermonters with arthritis
MyHealthyVT.org
MyHealthyVT.org
Explore Arthritis Data
Learn more about arthritis in Vermont
Learn more about arthritis in Vermont
The Vermont Arthritis Program
Read the report
Read the report
Support for people with arthritis
Both joint-friendly exercise and lifestyle management workshops can help improve symptoms and quality of life for people with arthritis.
Low impact physical activity
can reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. It’s also important for the management of other chronic conditions that are common among adults with arthritis, such as diabetes and heart disease. Try exercise that does not put stress on the joints such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, light gardening, and dancing.
Programs for people with arthritis
Arthritis appropriate physical activity programs are available through several
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
including Walk With Ease, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and other fitness, strengthening, and balance programs.
The
University of Vermont's (UVM) Walk with Ease, Self Directed Enhanced
programs. In the Fall and Spring, participants can enroll and be matched with a UVM student coach for extra support. Alternatively, people can enroll at any time to participate, without a student coach, and receive weekly e-mails for support. In both cases, participants may receive a free copy of the Walk with Ease Book.
Vermont offers free self-management workshops to all eligible Vermonters, including support for those with arthritis. Visit
MyHealthyVT.org
to learn about the Chronic Disease Management Program and the Chronic Pain Management Program and get connected to local supports.
The Osteoarthritis Association offers a
virtual Walk with Ease program
with engaging videos, weekly motivational messages, an e-version of the book, and more.
Low-impact physical activities
Weekly physical activity
Community-based physical activity classes
Self-management education workshops
Arthritis Resources for Health Professionals
Subscribe to Arthritis in Vermont
Last Updated:
April 1, 2026
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Arthritis in Vermont
In this section:
Arthritis Resources for Health Professionals
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a catch-all term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. There are more than 100
types of arthritis
, the most common form being
osteoarthritis
or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees. Other common forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. Symptoms of arthritis are pain, aching, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints.
Health care providers please also visit the
Health Resources for Health Care Providers page
.
Who is affected by arthritis?
Nearly four in ten Vermont adults 40 years or older have arthritis (40%). It is more common in Vermonters over the age of 65, among women, and among people of lower socio-economic status. Arthritis affects people of all racial and ethnic groups and is on the rise as the population ages. Among Vermont adults with arthritis, 4 in 5 have at least one other chronic condition such as hypertension, depression or diabetes.
To learn more about how many Vermonters are diagnosed with or aware of how to prevent, treat, or manage arthritis, see this brief -
Arthritis: The most common chronic disease among Vermont adults
.
Preventing arthritis
There is no sure way to prevent arthritis but there are steps you can take to limit your risk, delay the onset, or limit its impact. There are some factors you can’t change, like gender, family history and age—and there are other factors that you have control over like tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor diet which contribute to the incidence and severity of arthritis.
Quitting tobacco use
, eating varied and nutritious foods, and being physically active can help delay the onset of arthritis.
Support workshops for Vermonters with arthritis
MyHealthyVT.org
MyHealthyVT.org
Explore Arthritis Data
Learn more about arthritis in Vermont
Learn more about arthritis in Vermont
The Vermont Arthritis Program
Read the report
Read the report
Support for people with arthritis
Both joint-friendly exercise and lifestyle management workshops can help improve symptoms and quality of life for people with arthritis.
Low impact physical activity
can reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. It’s also important for the management of other chronic conditions that are common among adults with arthritis, such as diabetes and heart disease. Try exercise that does not put stress on the joints such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, light gardening, and dancing.
Programs for people with arthritis
Arthritis appropriate physical activity programs are available through several
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
including Walk With Ease, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and other fitness, strengthening, and balance programs.
The
University of Vermont's (UVM) Walk with Ease, Self Directed Enhanced
programs. In the Fall and Spring, participants can enroll and be matched with a UVM student coach for extra support. Alternatively, people can enroll at any time to participate, without a student coach, and receive weekly e-mails for support. In both cases, participants may receive a free copy of the Walk with Ease Book.
Vermont offers free self-management workshops to all eligible Vermonters, including support for those with arthritis. Visit
MyHealthyVT.org
to learn about the Chronic Disease Management Program and the Chronic Pain Management Program and get connected to local supports.
The Osteoarthritis Association offers a
virtual Walk with Ease program
with engaging videos, weekly motivational messages, an e-version of the book, and more.
Low-impact physical activities
Weekly physical activity
Community-based physical activity classes
Self-management education workshops
Arthritis Resources for Health Professionals
Subscribe to Arthritis in Vermont
Last Updated:
April 1, 2026