Comorbidity of Arthritis and Depression in African American, Caucasian and Hispanic/Latina Women: Increasing Awareness, Improving Care

Sponsored by Movement is Life

Credits CA:2.0, NCCT:2.0, ONCB:2.0

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About this Course

This educational activity is for the healthcare professional who is involved in the care of patients who are at high risk for arthritis and comorbidities, such as obesity and depression. At-risk individuals include women and those of African American and Hispanic descent. This group demonstrates “health disparities”, which are preventable differences in health status. Health disparities frequently can be attributed to social disadvantages, poverty, inadequate access to care and educational inequality.

Depression and its comorbidities remain a significant public health problem in the United States despite decades of research, recognition, and treatment. Women and specific ethnic groups represent populations that are especially vulnerable to mental health disparities and face unique challenges pertaining to mental health care. Increased physical activity among this population can address both depression and arthritis pain.

Cultural norms and beliefs, however, create situations where patients appear to be noncompliant regarding increasing physical activity, lazy, or disengaged from the healthcare provider’s point of view. Culture impacts the continuum of a person’s health from the types of illnesses they develop, to expressing their emotions about illness, and how they respond to therapeutic intervention. Thus, the clinician’s aim should be cultural sensitivity and competence, such that the delivery of care to these high-risk groups is effective with better outcomes.

Learning Objectives

  • Define health disparity in relation to arthritis, depression, and associated comorbidities.
  • Explain the pathophysiology, risk factors and interventions for osteoarthritis.
  • Identify characteristics of depression, including prevalence, etiology, and provider diagnosis and treatment
  • patterns.
  • Compare the use of common screening tools for depression and behavioral health issues.
  • Discuss the cultural beliefs of African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos with respect to seeking care for mental
  • health issues.
  • Describe the types of physical activity appropriate for those with arthritis, and how this mobility alleviates
  • symptoms.
  • Delineate characteristics of a culturally competent healthcare practitioner, and steps that may be taken to improve care.

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