Skip Navigation Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Arthritis
Home | About Us | Contact Us


 
Contact Information:

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Division of Adult and Community Health
Health Care and Aging Studies Branch

Arthritis Program
Mailstop K-51
4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
Phone: 770.488.5464
Fax: 770.488.5964
Email Us



 


Childhood Arthritis Estimates

A 2007 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. The study was prompted by a portion of the (proposed) Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2004 which called for better determining the size of the childhood arthritis problem.

As a result, the CDC, in collaboration with several other organizations, began an intensive review of options on how to estimate the number of children with arthritis and related conditions and also what conditions should be included. In addition to providing these improved national estimates, the study also provides estimates for each state. CDC's first-ever estimates of childhood arthritis-related diagnoses show a state-by-state range from a low of 500 children with arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions in Wyoming to a high of 38,000 children in California. Study data also show that children diagnosed with arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions account for approximately 827,000 doctor visits each year, including an average of 83,000 emergency department room visits. For further information on the pediatric arthritis surveillance is available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page last reviewed: June 8, 2008
Page last modified: December 8, 2007
Content Source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion





Privacy Policy | Accessibility

Home | Contact Us | Site Map

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion