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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
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Forty-six million Americans report that a doctor told them they have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of nearly 19 million adults. The CDC Arthritis Program is working to improve the quality of life for people affected by arthritis and other rheumatic conditions by working with states and other partners to increase awareness about appropriate arthritis self management activities and expanding the reach of programs proven to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.

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Map showing 12 states with funding

Twelve States Awarded CDC Arthritis Funding — The CDC Arthritis Program has announced the 12 states awarded funding through cooperative agreements with state health departments from 2008-2011. The 12 states funded include: California, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Utah. Read more.

 

Lady on exercise bike

Arthritis as a potential barrier to physical activity among adults with diabetes, United States, 2005 and 2007  — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study indicating that more than half of adults with diagnosed diabetes also have arthritis. State-specific estimates for arthritis among adults with diabetes range from 42.6% in Hawaii to 62.2% in Missouri. The study found that 29.8% of adults with arthritis and diabetes were physically inactive, compared with 21% of people with diabetes alone. Among people with diabetes, the high frequency of arthritis appears to be an under recognized barrier to increasing physical activity, a recommended diabetes intervention. Engaging in joint friendly activities; such as, walking, swimming, biking, and participating in available arthritis-specific exercise interventions can help manage both conditions.  Read more.
Listen to the podcastListen To This Podcast (Length: 0:59)  PDF iconView transcript (PDF–9K)

Dr. Charles Helmick“These findings suggest more needs to be done to help people with diabetes and arthritis get physically active to improve their health,” said Chad Helmick, M.D., a CDC medical epidemiologist and co-author on the study. “Engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate the pain and disability that often accompany arthritis. Disease self-management classes, including exercise programs that address arthritis-specific barriers, may help adults with arthritis and diabetes better manage their disease.”  See the WebMD article* and related blog* to explore this further.
 

Older couple exercising

Prevalence Estimates of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions in the United States — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the National Arthritis Data Workgroup is releasing a new study that reaffirms that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults—46 million people—have arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. The prevalence of osteoarthritis has increased to 27 million people, up from the previous estimate of 21 million. Highlights.
Full text article, Part I PDF logopdf*(110K)   Full text article, Part II PDF logopdf*(88K)
 

photo of kids playing

Prevalence of and Annual Ambulatory Health Care Visits for Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatologic Conditions in the United States in 2001–2004 — A new 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. Read more.
 

Map of the United States

State-specific Prevalence of Arthritis-Attributable Work Limitation-United States, 2003 —The first available state-specific estimates of arthritis-attributable work limitation (AAWL) show that arthritis commonly causes work limitations among working-age (18-64 years old) adults in all U.S. states. Work limitation due to arthritis varies by state but is generally high, ranging from 3.4% to 15% of all working-age adults. Among just those with arthritis, the prevalence of AAWL ranges from 25.1% to 51.3%. Read more.

 

Statue

Arthritis Burden and Impact are Greater Among U.S. Women than Men: Intervention Opportunities — Women of all ages bear a disproportionate burden of arthritis and its impacts compared with men.  Safe, effective interventions to prevent or delay arthritis impact, such as self-management education programs, physical activity, and weight management remain underused—meaning that people are missing opportunities to minimize arthritis impact. Abstract.
Listen to the podcastListen To This Podcast (Length: 0:59)  View transcript
 

Photo of a family Projected State-Specific Increases in Self-Reported Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation—United States, 2005-2030 — By the year 2030, the number of people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation will increase substantially in all 50 states. There will be a median increase of 34% in 50 states, an increase of from 50% to 99% in 10 states, and more than a million new people affected each in Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Read more.
Listen to the podcastListen To This Podcast (Length: 0:59)  PDF iconView transcript (PDF–13K)
Listen to the podcastListen To This Podcast (Length: 6:08)  PDF iconView transcript (PDF–20K)
 



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* Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.

Page last reviewed: June 30, 2008
Page last modified: May 12, 2008
Content Source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion





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