Photos: Arthritis Foundation Launches Nationwide Movement Encouraging People to...

Photos: Arthritis Foundation Launches Nationwide Movement Encouraging People
to Move to Prevent and Treat Arthritis

Let's Move Together Aims to Unite Americans in Fighting the Country's Most
Common Disability

ATLANTA, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arthritis Foundation today announces the
launch of Let's Move Together, a nationwide movement created to improve the
quality of life of the one-in-five Americans living with the pain of
arthritis.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/arthritis/36642/

Let's Move Together is designed to inspire people to move every day to prevent
or treat arthritis, encouraging daily physical activity for better health and
participation in their local Arthritis Walk--an annual event that promotes fun
and fitness.

By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected
by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million. Even more alarming is
the fact that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of
arthritis, continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying
active through enjoyable physical activities such as walking.

"Physical activity, such as walking, is crucial to managing joint pain,
improving mobility and reducing fatigue often associated with arthritis," said
Patience White, M.D., chief public health officer for the Arthritis
Foundation. "It is our hope that the Let's Move Together movement will lead
people to take action, both to improve their own lives and the lives of others
with arthritis."

People can join Let's Move Together by contacting their local Arthritis
Foundation chapter or visiting www.letsmovetogether.org. The Web site offers
exercise tips and other suggestions on ways to creatively incorporate movement
into daily activities, including links to the Arthritis Foundation Life
Improvement Series programs offered to help people become active through
arthritis-friendly exercise. The site also showcases uplifting stories of
people who are battling arthritis by staying active, a physical activity
tracker to help keep users moving all year, and information about Arthritis
Walk events around the country. Visitors can even read a blog from others
participating in the movement or contribute to message boards on a variety of
movement-related topics.

"The Let's Move Together program educates people that is it important to move
every day not just one day out of the year," added Dr. White. "By launching
this movement in January we hope that people will commit to daily physical
activity and continue to move together throughout the year."

About Let's Move Together:

Let's Move Together is a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation
that encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis. Moving just 30
minutes daily, even 10 to 15 minutes at a time, can ease joint pain, improve
mobility and reduce fatigue often associated with arthritis. Daily movement
also can improve the quality of life of the 46 million Americans living with
arthritis. Let's Move Together is a call to action: commit to the 2009
Arthritis Walk, the signature annual fundraising event of the Arthritis
Foundation, and move daily for better health. Start moving today: visit
www.letsmovetogether.org.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the
needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's most
common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the
Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the
country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to
arthritis research in the world, funding more than $400 million in research
grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis
by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation;
and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for
those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation

Carol Galbreath of the Arthritis Foundation, +1-404-965-7595,
cgalbreath@arthritis.org