Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a serious disease affecting 1 in 7 US adults. The personal and economic burden of OA is significant, and the effects are felt by adults with OA, their families, employers, and communities. The good news is that there are strategies to help prevent and manage OA.

The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) collaborated with Pfizer to update and expand OACareTools, an online toolkit that aims to reduce the burden of osteoarthritis (OA), a painful and costly disease. OACareTools contains NEW tools and resources for the business community—business leaders, benefits/wellness consultants, human resource representatives, occupational health providers—and employees.

In addition to 9 self-paced educational modules on OA, OACareTools also includes customized tools and resources for employers and employees, such as:

• OA facts & figures – Gain knowledge of OA signs and symptoms, workplace risks, management and prevention strategies, and financial costs.
• Arthritis-inclusive workplaces – Learn how to reduce the economic and personal burden of OA through benefit plan designs, workplace policies and programs, and wellness and safety initiatives that are based on recommended treatment strategies.
• Osteoarthritis in the workplace – Display a poster for employees showing an overview of OA, what workplace risks of OA are, and how OA can be managed and prevented within the workplace.
• OA signs and symptoms – Share a video and postcard with employees providing information about OA and tips for managing joint pain in the workplace.

Visit www.oacaretools.org for a complete listing and description of resources. In addition, visit the Adult & Employee page for resources that employers can make available to their employees.