Data and Statistics

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NHIS Arthritis Surveillance

On this page:

• Sex-specific Prevalence
• Future Arthritis Burden
• Arthritis Impact
• Specific Functional Limitations
• Excess Body Weight Among People With Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis
• Physical Activity Levels Among People With Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis

Sex-specific prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis by age group, National Health Interview Survey, 2003–2005

In 2006, the CDC combined data from the National Health Interview Survey years 2003–2005 Sample Adult Core components to estimate average annual arthritis prevalence in the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. population aged 18 years and older. Overall, 21.6% (46.4 million) of adults reported arthritis, with significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence in women than in men (24.4%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.9–24.9] vs. 18.1% [17.6–18.6]). Arthritis prevalence increased with age and was higher among women than men in every age group.

Theis KA, Helmick CG, Hootman JM. Arthritis burden and impact are greater among U.S. women than men: intervention opportunities. J Women’s Health 2007;16(4):441–453.

Hootman J, Bolen J, Helmick C, Langmaid G. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation—United States, 2003–2005. MMWR [View the errata for this article here and here.] 2006;55(40):1089–1092. html pdf (512K)

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Future Arthritis Burden

With the aging of the U.S. population, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis is expected to increase in the coming decades. By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million (25% of the projected total adult population) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, compared with the 46 million adults in 2003–2005. In figure 1, two-thirds of those with arthritis will be women. By 2030 an estimated 25 million adults (9.3%) will report arthritis-attributable activity limitations. These estimates may be conservative as they do not account for the current trends in obesity, which may contribute to future cases of osteoarthritis.

[A text description of this map is also available.]

Data Source:  Hootman JM, Helmick CG. Projections of U.S. prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54(1):226–229.

Hootman J, Bolen J, Helmick C, Langmaid G. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation—United States, 2003-2005. MMWR [View the errata for this article here and here.] 2006;55(40):1089–1092. html pdf (512K)

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Arthritis Impact

The impact of arthritis on individuals is significant. Almost 41% (19 million) of the 46 million adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis report limitations in their usual activities due to their arthritis.  Figure 2 shows that in addition to activity limitations, 31% (8.3 million) of working age adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis report being limited in work due to arthritis.

[A text description of this map is also available.]

Data Source:  2002 National Health Interview Survey

1. Hootman J, Bolen J, Helmick C, Langmaid G. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation—United States, 2003-2005. MMWR [View the errata for this article here and here.] 2006;55(40):1089–1092. html pdf (512K)

2. Bolen J, Sniezek J, Theis K, Helmick CG, Hootman JM, Brady TJ et al. Racial/Ethnic differences in the prevalence and impact of doctor-diagnosed arthritis—United States, 2002. MMWR 2005;54(5):119–123. html  pdf (284K)

NOTE: Activity Limitation = responding “yes” to “Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities due to arthritis or joint symptoms”; Work Limitation = among working age population (18–64 years), responding “yes” to being limited in the type, amount or whether they work due to arthritis.

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Specific Functional Limitations

Functional limitation in common daily activities is frequent among adults with arthritis; 40% report it is “very difficult” or they “cannot do” at least 1 of 9 important daily functional activities.  For example, almost 8 million adults who report an activity limitation due to their arthritis also report severe limitation in their ability to stoop, bend or kneel and 6 million cannot walk ¼ mile. Figure 3 shows the prevalence of specific functional limitations. Impairment in the ability to perform essential daily living activities may interfere with the ability of people with arthritis to work, function in their community or care for their family.

[A text description of this map is also available.]

Data Source:  2002 National Health Interview Survey

NOTE: Functional limitation defined as “very difficult” or “can not do” for the following activities:  stoop, bend or kneel; stand more than 2 hours; walk ¼ mile; push a heavy object; climb a flight of stairs; lift or carry 10 pounds; sit more than 2 hours; reach above head; grasp small objects.

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Excess Body Weight Among People With Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis and possibly osteoarthritis of other joints. For example, obese adults are up to 4 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis than normal weight adults¹. Excess body weight is also associated with about 35% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are obese compared to only 21% of those without arthritis. Reducing body weight results in significant improvements in the health-related quality of life of people with arthritis.

[A text description of this map is also available.]

Data source: 2002 National Health Interview Survey

*NOTE: Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated using the formula weight in kilograms/height in meters². Underweight/normal=BMI < 25; Overweight = BMI 25-29.99; Obese = BMI ≥ 30.

1. Felson DT, Zhang Y. An update on the epidemiology of knee and hip osteoarthritis with a view to prevention. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41(8):1343–1355.

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Physical Activity Levels Among People With Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis

Although physical activity and exercise have been shown to benefit people with arthritis, by improving pain, function and mental health, many people with arthritis report no leisure time physical activity. Almost 44% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis report no leisure time physical activity, a considerably higher proportion compared with adults without arthritis (36%). Low levels of physical activity place individuals with arthritis at further risk of inactivity-associated conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and functional limitations.

[A text description of this map is also available.]

Data Source: 
Shih M, Hootman JM, Kruger J, Helmick CG. Physical activity in men and women with arthritis, National Health Interview Survey, 2002. Am J Prev Med 2006;30(5):385-93.

*NOTE: Inactive = no reported leisure-time physical activity.

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Page last reviewed: June 8, 2008
Page last modified: June 8, 2008
Content Source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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