Let's Talk About Arthritis

Did you know that arthritis is a growing problem among migrant and seasonal farmworkers? In fact, the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC) has estimated that 1 to 1.7 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers are affected by arthritis. Farm work is a physically demanding job that places a lot of stress on the joints and this can lead to pain in the back, neck, and wrists and potentially arthritis. In response to this growing problem and to help farmworkers prevent arthritis and cope with joint pain, NCFH and MARRTC have worked together in the development of "Let's Talk About Arthritis", (Hablemos Sobre Artritis) a prevention and self management program on arthritis specifically created for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The program successfully combines the Lay Health Worker Model adopted by NCFH in many of its programs, and the most current information on arthritis, to deliver and disseminate information regarding arthritis prevention and self-management to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

This curriculum is intended to train lay health workers over a two day period on the most relevant topics on arthritis including: an overview on arthritis, basic information on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and ways to manage arthritis pain.

To view a sample lesson from the curriculum click here:

New products are currently under development, so please check our web site www.ncfh.org for updates. One product soon to be introduced is a bilingual flipchart developed for lay health workers to use while they conduct arthritis educational sessions in the community. This flipchart will provide the most important messages on arthritis and self management for the community.

Training opportunities are available to interested organizations. For more information on the "Hablemos Sobre Artritis" training, please contact Monica Fossi at 512-312-5470 or by email at: fossi@ncfh.org.