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Summary: 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.

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Summary: This educational activity provides an overview of gender and racial/ethnic musculoskeletal disparities, the relationship between obesity, osteoarthritis (OA), and other comorbidities, and the potential impact of the American Medical Association (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. It concludes with a discussion of the challenges facing healthcare professionals 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.

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