Arthritis in United States

United States

Arthritis is a general term for more than 100 conditions that cause inflammation or swelling of the joints. Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, redness, rashes or itching around joint areas, joint swelling and trouble moving. More than 40% of adults with arthritis report that their usual activities are limited as a result of arthritis. It is also a leading cause of workplace disability.

The total medical costs associated with arthritis in the U.S. are $460 billion.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among: 

• Women compared with men.
• Adults age 65 and older, who have a prevalence more than six times higher than adults ages 18-44. As age increases, the prevalence of arthritis significantly increases.
• Adults who identify their race as other and adults who are white or American Indian/Alaska Native compared with Asian and Hispanic adults. Asian adults have a significantly lower prevalence of arthritis than all other racial and ethnic groups.
• Adults with less than a college education compared with college graduates.
• Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000 compared with those who have higher incomes. The prevalence of arthritis is significantly lower with each increase in income level.
• Adults who live in nonmetropolitan areas compared with adults in metropolitan areas.
• Straight adults compared with lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ+) adults. 
• Adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces compared with those who have not served.

People can reduce their risk of arthritis by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and avoiding joint injuries. These strategies can also help manage existing arthritis conditions. Some joint-friendly exercises include walking, biking and swimming. 

Common treatments for adults with arthritis include pain medication, such as topical creams or ointments, as well as medications that can slow the progression of the disease. Alternative pain management methods include massage, acupuncture and yoga. Joint replacement surgery is also an option for some when medication and other alternatives have been exhausted.

Healthy People 2030 has several objectives related to arthritis, including:

• Reducing the proportion of adults with arthritis who have moderate or severe joint pain.
• Reducing the proportion of adults with arthritis whose arthritis limits their work.
• Reducing the proportion of adults whose arthritis limits their activities.
• Increasing the proportion of adults with arthritis who receive counseling for physical activity. 

Guglielmo, Dana, Louise B. Murphy, Kristina A. Theis, Michael A. Boring, Charles G. Helmick, Kathleen B. Watson, Lindsey M. Duca, Erica L. Odom, Yong Liu, and Janet B. Croft. “Walking and Other Common Physical Activities Among Adults with Arthritis — United States, 2019.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70, no. 40 (2021). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7040a3.

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Theis, Kristina A., Douglas W. Roblin, Charles G. Helmick, and Ruiyan Luo. “Prevalence and Causes of Work Disability Among Working-Age U.S. Adults, 2011–2013, NHIS.” Disability and Health Journal 11, no. 1 (January 1, 2018): 108–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.04.010.