The Press Journal health reporter looks in on Dr. Cooney at work
(May 18, 2007)

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As our population ages, the cost of arthritis is soaring - a $7.6 billion tab for Floridians

In a report published in January, 2007, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimated the nation’s costs for arthritis and related conditions rose to $128 billion in 2003 (the latest data available) and the tab will continue to grow as the U.S. population gets older and heavier. Florida’s estimated share of this is put at $7.6 billion.

The 2003 total nationally was a 58 percent increase over the previous 1997 figure of $86.2 billion, based on 9 million ‘new’ cases of arthritis or related conditions.

The CDC estimated that 46.1 million people were treated for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in 2003, and 29.5 million of them lost earnings. The government estimates 8 million more people will suffer from arthritis between 2005 and 2015.