3
The Role of Nurses in the
Management of Joint Pain in
Woman and Black and Hispanic/
Latino Women
MOVEMENT IS LIFE MISSION
To decrease musculoskeletal health disparities
among women and racial/ethnic minorities by
raising awareness
of their impact on chronic disease management and quality of life.
By promoting the importance of early intervention
, MIL seeks to slow musculoskeletal
disease progression, reduce disability and encourage physical activity and daily movement to
improve the overall health of the nation.
OVERVIEW
One in five Americans suffer from doctor-diagnosed arthritis, but among three segments of the
population, the impact is worse. Women, African Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos have more
severe arthritis and functional limitations. Compared to their Caucasian counterparts, African
American and Hispanic/Latina women also have much higher levels of obesity. The role of the
nurse in managing a patient’s osteoarthritis (OA) progression has been evolving and can include
evaluation, education of the patient, risk management for medications and other management
activities, care coordination among the patient and healthcare professionals, and compliance
strategies including proper medication use, weight reduction, and exercise. Addressing obesity
among various racial/ethnic populations requires an understanding not only of the biological
causes of obesity, but also of the culture, values, beliefs, resources, and environments that
influence eating and physical activity behaviors and choices. This educational activity provides
an overview of gender and racial/ethnic musculoskeletal disparities, the relationship between
obesity, OA, and other comorbidities, and the potential impact of the AMA recognition of obesity
as a disease. Also discussed are cultural and health literacy considerations of the patients most
at risk for disability from OA – obese African American and Hispanic women. It concludes with
a discussion of the challenges facing healthcare providers in providing culturally competent
care that promotes healthy habits, the need to confront conscious and unconscious bias, and
communication skills and techniques that enhance shared decision-making with patients in order
to reduce and/or eliminate disparities in care by communicating more effectively with obese
minority women with OA.