Arthritis

Spotlight Archive

On This Page: Historical

	Lifetime Risk of Hip Osteoarthritis. One in four people are at risk for painful hip osteoarthritis in their lifetime. Learn how physical activity can relieve arthritis pain.
	CDC Reports 50 Million US Adults Have Arthritis. A new study from CDC reports that 50 million US adults had arthritis in 2007-2009, an increase from 2003-2005 (46 million).
	Arthritis Restricts Volunteer Participation. A new CDC analysis shows that 12 million U.S. adults with arthritis are limited in or do not participate in volunteering due to arthritis.
	Differences in the Prevalence and Impact of Arthritis Among Racial/Ethnic Groups. This article describes the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and its impact on activities, work, and joint pain for 6 racial/ethnic groups: non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and multiracial or “other” respondents…more
	Estimating the Population Prevalence of Lupus. CDC is funding registries in Georgia and Michigan to estimate the population prevalence and incidence of lupus among Caucasians and African Americans. This paper discusses the methods used…more
	100 Billion Dollar Increase in Medical Expenditures Among People With Arthritis. A newly released CDC shows that medical expenditures among people with arthritis rose by 100 billion dollars from 1997 to 2005…more
	Newest Estimates for Specific Forms of Arthritis. May is National Arthritis Month, CDC is highlighting recent arthritis estimates gathered in a collaborative effort between federal and private entities ...more.
	Estimating the Population Prevalence of Pediatric Arthritis. A new CDC study estimates that 294,000 U.S. children under age 18 (or 1 in 250 children) have been diagnosed with arthritis or other rheumatologic conditions...more.
	Substantial Increases in Arthritis Diagnoses Forecasted. The number of US adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to reach nearly 67 million adults by the year 2030...more.
	Lifetime Risk of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. A newly published CDC study reports that the lifetime risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be nearly one in two, or 46%...more.
	New Estimates on Childhood Arthritis — One in 250 US children has some form of arthritis. A recent CDC study provides the first national data-based estimate. Read more.
	Number of U. S. Adults Reporting a Disability is Increasing — A new CDC study shows that 47.5 million US adults (21.8%) reported a disability 1 in 2005, an increase of 3.4 million from 1999. Arthritis or rheumatism continues to be the most common cause of disability, while back or spine problems and heart trouble round out the top three causes. Read more.
	Black/white disparities in total knee replacement — The number of total knee replacements in the United States increased between 2000 and 2006, but without any reduction in the black/white disparity. The rate of this important intervention to reduce pain and disability continues to lag for blacks compared to whites. Read more.
	Twelve States Awarded CDC Arthritis Funding — The CDC Arthritis Program has announced the 12 states awarded funding through cooperative agreements with state health departments from 2008-2011. The 12 states funded include: California, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Utah. Read more.
	Arthritis as a potential barrier to physical activity among adults with diabetes, United States, 2005 and 2007 — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study indicating that more than half of adults with diagnosed diabetes also have arthritis. State-specific estimates for arthritis among adults with diabetes range from 42.6% in Hawaii to 62.2% in Missouri. The study found that 29.8% of adults with arthritis and diabetes were physically inactive, compared with 21% of people with diabetes alone. Among people with diabetes, the high frequency of arthritis appears to be an under recognized barrier to increasing physical activity, a recommended diabetes intervention. Engaging in joint friendly activities; such as, walking, swimming, biking, and participating in available arthritis-specific exercise interventions can help manage both conditions. Read more. Listen To This Podcast [audio MP3 0:59 minutes ] Transcript [PDF-9K] “These findings suggest more needs to be done to help people with diabetes and arthritis get physically active to improve their health,” said Chad Helmick, M.D., a CDC medical epidemiologist and co-author on the study. “Engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate the pain and disability that often accompany arthritis. Disease self-management classes, including exercise programs that address arthritis-specific barriers, may help adults with arthritis and diabetes better manage their disease.” See the WebMD article and related blog to explore this further.
	Prevalence of and Annual Ambulatory Health Care Visits for Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatologic Conditions in the United States in 2001–2004 — A new CDC study estimates that 294,000 U.S. children under age 18 (or 1 in 250 children) have been diagnosed with arthritis or another rheumatologic condition. This study provides for the first time a national data-based estimate of the number of children diagnosed with arthritis and related rheumatic conditions across the United States and within each state, creating a benchmark to measure future shifts in occurrence. Read more.
	State-specific Prevalence of Arthritis-Attributable Work Limitation-United States, 2003 —The first available state-specific estimates of arthritis-attributable work limitation (AAWL) show that arthritis commonly causes work limitations among working-age (18-64 years old) adults in all U.S. states. Work limitation due to arthritis varies by state but is generally high, ranging from 3.4% to 15% of all working-age adults. Among just those with arthritis, the prevalence of AAWL ranges from 25.1% to 51.3%. Read more.
	Arthritis Burden and Impact are Greater Among U.S. Women than Men: Intervention Opportunities — Women of all ages bear a disproportionate burden of arthritis and its impacts compared with men. Safe, effective interventions to prevent or delay arthritis impact, such as self-management education programs, physical activity, and weight management remain underused—meaning that people are missing opportunities to minimize arthritis impact. Abstract. Listen To This Podcast [audio MP3 0:59 minutes] Transcript
	Projected State-Specific Increases in Self-Reported Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation—United States, 2005-2030 — By the year 2030, the number of people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation will increase substantially in all 50 states. There will be a median increase of 34% in 50 states, an increase of from 50% to 99% in 10 states, and more than a million new people affected each in Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Read more. Listen To This Podcast [audio MP3 0:59 minutes] Transcript [PDF–13K] Listen To This Podcast [audio MP3 6:08 minutes] Transcript [PDF–20K]
	Prevalence and Correlates of Arthritis-Attributable Work Limitation in the U.S. Population Among Persons Ages 18–64: 2002 National Health Interview Survey Data —Approximately 1 in 20 working age (18-64 years) U.S. adults, or nearly 7 million Americans, report being limited in some aspect of work for pay (amount, type or ability to work) because of arthritis. Among those with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, approximately 1 in 3 report work limitation. Arthritis-attributable work limitation disproportionately affects minority groups. There are opportunities to reduce arthritis impact by implementing effective interventions to preserve and improve function. Read more.
	National and State Medical Expenditures and Lost Earnings Attributable to Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions — In 2003, arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) cost the United States $127.8 billion ($80.8 billion in medical care expenditures and $47.0 billion in lost earnings), up from $86.2 billion in 1997. Total costs attributable to AORC in the states ranged from $225.5 million in the District of Columbia to $12.1 billion in California. Increasing physical activity, maintaining healthy weight, and expanding the use of self-management education among persons with AORC may help slow the rise in these costs and improve quality of life of persons with AORC. Read more.
	State Prevalence Of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitations, 2003 — In adults in states and territories, the 2003 prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis ranged from 17.9% to 37.2% and that of arthritis-attributable activity limitation ranged from 6.3% to 16.7%, with particularly high rates in southern states. Arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation are common problems in all states and territories and likely to increase in the future. Read more
	Physical Activity in Men and Women with Arthritis — Physical activity has been shown to reduce pain and improve function and mental health among people with arthritis, yet adults with arthritis are significantly less likely to engage in recommended levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity, and 37% of adults with arthritis are inactive. Read more
	Projected Rise in Arthritis Prevalence — By 2030, nearly 67 million (25%) of US adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. In addition, adults with arthritis-attributable activity limitation are projected to increase from 16.9 million (7.9%) to 25 million (9.3% of the US adult population) by 2030. These projections herald an increasing societal and health care system burden. Read more
	Monitoring Arthritis Management — For persons with arthritis, arthritis education has been shown to help reduce pain, yet only 1 in 10 have taken such courses. Health-care providers and persons with arthritis are missing opportunities to improve health through recommending or participating in arthritis self-management education. Many people are unaware of the programs the CDC recommends for people with arthritis. Read the results of a new study.
	Racial/Ethnic Differences in Arthritis — Arthritis is a frequent problem with a large impact on all racial/ethnic groups, but the disabling effects of arthritis (arthritis-attributable activity limitations, work limitations, and severe pain) affect racial/ethnic minorities more severely. Read more

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Historical

Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitations, 2003–2005 — Arthritis affects 1 in 5, or 46 million, US adults, making it one of the most common chronic conditions. Over 40%, or nearly 19 million, adults with arthritis are limited in their activities because of their arthritis. Increasing physical activity, losing excess weight, and participating in self-management education classes have been shown to reduce pain, improve functional limitations and mental health, and reduce disability among persons with arthritis. Read more.
Listen To This Podcast [5:19 minutes] Transcript [PDF-12K]
Listen To This Podcast [1:23 minutes] Transcript [PDF-8K]

Prevalence Estimates of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions in the United States — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Arthritis Data Workgroup is releasing a new study that reaffirms that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults—46 million people—have arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. The prevalence of osteoarthritis has increased to 27 million people, up from the previous estimate of 21 million. Highlights.
Full text article, Part I[PDF 110K] Full text article, Part II[PDF-88K]