The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that an estimated 22.7% of adults in the US, or 54.4 million people, have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The CDC also predicts that by the year 2040 the number will grow to 78.4 million people and two-thirds of them will be women. (1)
The CDC has also reported that American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have some of the highest prevalence rates of doctor-diagnosed arthritis at 24.4% compared to White non-Hispanics at 22.6%, African American and Black non-Hispanics at 22.2%, Hispanic and Latino at 15.4%, and Asian non-Hispanic at 11.8%. (2) For all groups, there could be a significant number of people who have may have undiagnosed or unreported arthritis, so the numbers could be much higher. For example, in a study involving more than 8,000 AI/AN Elders conducted by the National Resource Center on Native American Aging found that 43.5% of surveyed AI/AN Elders had arthritis. (3)
What is Arthritis and Why It’s an Issue?
Arthritis is commonly known as joint inflammation, but it does have a wider meaning which includes “the more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues which surround joints and other connective tissue. The pattern, severity, and location of symptoms can vary depending on the specific form of the disease. Typically, rheumatic conditions are characterized by pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints. The symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly. Certain rheumatic conditions can also involve the immune system and various internal organs of the body.” (4)
Arthritis can lead to disability, deformity and loss of movement, which can significantly impact daily life. Early diagnosis and management is key to preventing further damage. (5,6)
To learn more about arthritis and symptoms, prevention, and management from visit https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs or http://www.worldarthritisday.org/
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, March 06). Arthritis: National Statistics. Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/national-statistics.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, June 08). Arthritis: Health Disparity Statistics. Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/disparities.htm
- Center for Rural Health. (Summer 2006). Rural Health Facts: Arthritis in American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://ruralhealth.und.edu/pdf/fs_arthritis.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, July 06). Arthritis: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/faqs.htm
- Bone and Joint Initiative USA. (n.d.). Arthritis 101. Retrieved October 05, 2017, from https://player.vimeo.com/video/185667668
- World Arthritis Day. (n.d.). Get Involved. Retrieved October 05, 2017, from http://www.worldarthritisday.org/get-involved
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