Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It generally affects the weight-bearing areas of the body, such as hips, knees, and spine. It is caused by wear and tear on cartilage because of everyday abrasive activities like walking. This condition turns cartilage into bone and eventually so much bone is formed that it leads to joint instability over time and possibly osteoarthritis. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints. When you have osteoarthritis, the place you reside determines how well you can manage the condition. Here is a list of the worst cities to live in when you have the condition:
1. Memphis Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee, is among the poorest cities in the nation. Memphis has a high poverty rate, with a third of its residents living in poverty. As such, they struggle to make ends meet and maintain their health. Also, Tennessee is among the states that failed to expand Medicaid eligibility. Therefore, annual Medicaid reimbursements available to hospitals are low, adversely affecting the access and provision of healthcare services. In addition, Memphis has a humid subtropical climate, which triggers further pain and inflammation in already sensitive or swollen tissues, increasing pain for arthritis sufferers.
2. Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts, also has a poverty level that is above the U.S. average. Therefore, indigent residents in this state struggle to pay for their healthcare costs and are left with limited services. Furthermore, the weather in the city is not very favorable if you have osteoarthritis. The weather in the city is humid, with very cold and snowy winters, which contributes to inflammation and joint pain.
3. Mobile Alabama
Akin to Memphis, Mobile, Alabama is among the poorest largest cities in the country. Additionally, the city experiences a shortage of physicians. This shortage can make it difficult to access preventive and primary care. Lastly, the city experiences stormy weather and sporadic tropical depression, which affects barometric pressure; this results in pain in the joints.
4. Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is made up of a vast older population. While arthritis is prevalent in young and older patients, the aged population in Charleston, in addition to low access to healthcare (only about a third of the state’s residents are covered by Medicaid). Therefore, many people in Charleston are left without many medical care options. In fact, studies from the Arthritis Foundation, Ohio River Valley Chapter estimate that 2,000,000 people nationwide do not see a doctor even when arthritis is limiting their usual activities.
5. Atlanta, Georgia
With an escalating poverty rate, Atlanta offers little help for people with osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions to cover their healthcare costs and pay for necessities like food, clothing, transportation, etc. Health insurance is also not mandated in Georgia; therefore, most of its citizens are without insurance coverage or have inadequate or expensive health plans that do not fully cover their medical needs.
6. Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware also offers little help for people with osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions. About a fifth of residents in Dover live below the poverty line. As such, its residents lack health insurance coverage or have inadequate or expensive health plans that do not fully cover their medical needs. Further, the city experiences a significant shortage of physicians due to factors such as Delaware being a rural state, which negatively affects access to care.
Living with arthritis is very uncomfortable. As such, you should choose to live in a place that makes you comfortable, has adequate access to healthcare and health insurance coverage, and has good weather.
