Arthritis

Press Room

Welcome to the CDC Arthritis Press room, a resource for reporters, news producers, and broadcasters seeking public health information on arthritis. On this page you will find an Arthritis Overview, Simple Steps for People with Arthritis, and About This Newsroom.

If there is any additional content that we can provide to assist you in your coverage of arthritis, please contact CDC Media Relations at (404) 639-3286. If you would like to receive email updates when the CDC Arthritis Program releases new information please subscribe here (choose Arthritis, under Diseases & Conditions).

Arthritis Overview

Arthritis affects one in five adults in the United States, or an estimated 50 million people.
These estimates are expected to continue to soar, reaching 67 million by 2030.
Two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than age 65.
In 2003, the total cost attributable to arthritis in the United States reached $128 billion.
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among adults in this country.

Are you surprised by any of these statements? If so, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t realize the significant and serious impact arthritis has on a person’s quality of life, our country’s economy, and the health of our nation. It is more than “just aches and pains.”

Simple Steps for People with Arthritis

Taking just a few simple steps can help keep pain away:

Learn how to apply self-management strategies and techniques.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Keep weight under control.
See your doctor for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Avoid joint injury to reduce your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

About This Pressroom

This newsroom is designed to help you bring this information to your readers, viewers, visitors, and/or listeners.

On this site, you can find:

A fact sheet about arthritis.
Facts about the CDC Arthritis Program’s Five Key Messages.
Questions and Answers about arthritis, its impact on our health, and how to manage arthritis.
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