Assets and Barriers to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis has remained a prevailing health concern in our society for many years. OA is most commonly seen in middle aged men and women suffering from pain and stiffness in the hip, knee, and thumb areas. Risk factors for OA include age, obesity, previous joint injuries, overuse of joint areas, and weak muscles. If not treated, OA could lead to permanent discomfort and pain, and potentially develop into depression, lowered quality of life, or a need for long-term home health care. By providing photo footage of every day health care issues, Photo voice persuades community members to change habits and behaviors in an effort to lower the chance of certain health concerns. I have created a collection of photos taken in the local community representing habits and items that contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. My first picture entails a surgery scar to represent a joint and cartilage injury from a Murray resident. Previous injuries to bones and cartilage as well as overuse of joints lead to the development of OA. Secondly, I provided a photo of fast food restaurants in Murray. These places provide unhealthy fats, placing customers at risk for obesity, a key risk factor to OA. Lastly, I captured a photo of the gym, to represent fitness and physical activity. Both of these are prevention methods for OA. The Arthritis Foundation holds community events to help raise money for the awareness and research of arthritis. Although no arthritis foundations are located in Murray, this organization holds fundraisers such as the Jingle Bell Run across the state of KY welcoming all the state residents. I hope to provide a better understanding of osteoarthritis to the city of Murray. By hosting local community events to promote the study/ prevention of arthritis, we could lower the risk of developing OA in our community as a whole. Examples of events range from marathons, dinners, and biking events, to conferences, parties, and volunteer opportunities