Arthritis in United States

United States

Arthritis is a general term that describes more than 100 conditions that result in inflammation or swelling of the joints. Arthritis is a major cause of pain and workplace disability. About 1 in 4 adults with arthritis experience joint pain. Many also experience limitations in daily activities such as walking, standing, sitting, reaching, grasping objects and social participation. Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, redness, swelling of the joints, having trouble moving around and a rash or itch around the joint area.

The total cost of arthritis, including medical care costs and lost earnings attributable to arthritis, was $303.5 billion in 2013.

Risk factors for arthritis include smoking, having overweight or obesity, having a history of joint injury or infection and performing a job that requires a lot of repetitive bending or squatting. 

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

• Women compared with men.
• Adults ages 65 and older, who have a prevalence nearly 6 times higher than adults ages 18-44. As age increases, the prevalence of arthritis significantly increases.
• White, American Indian/Alaska Native, multiracial and Black adults compared with Asian and Hispanic adults. Asian adults have a significantly lower prevalence of arthritis than all other racial and ethnic groups.
• Adults who did not complete or attend college compared with college graduates.
• Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000 compared with those with higher income levels; the prevalence of arthritis is significantly lower with each increase in income level.
• Adults who live in non-metropolitan areas compared with adults who live in metropolitan areas.
• Straight adults compared with LGBQ+ adults. 
• Adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces compared with those who have not served.

Arthritis risk can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and avoiding joint injuries. For those with arthritis, engaging in physical activity can improve arthritis pain and quality of life. Joint-friendly exercises include walking, biking and swimming. 

Common treatments for adults with arthritis include pain medication, such as topical creams or ointments, and medications that can slow the progress of the disease. Non-drug pain management tools and strategies include massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Joint replacement surgery is also an option for some when medication and other alternatives have been exhausted. 

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps recommends chronic disease self-management programs to help keep patients engaged in management of their conditions through education and behavioral interventions

Healthy People 2030 has four arthritis-related objectives to reduce the amount of pain and limitations to activity and work people experience as a result of arthritis, as well as to increase the proportion of adults with arthritis who get 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.

Murphy, Louise B., Miriam G. Cisternas, David J. Pasta, Charles G. Helmick, and Edward H. Yelin. “Medical Expenditures and Earnings Losses Among US Adults With Arthritis in 2013.” Arthritis Care & Research 70, no. 6 (2018): 869–76. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23425.

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.