Findings

	On this Page • What are some of CDC's key findings related to adult health-related quality of life? • Disease specific findings • Adult health-related quality of life by main cause of activity limitation — Table.

What are some of CDC's key findings related to adult health-related quality of life?

• Americans said they feel unhealthy (physically or mentally) about 6 days per month.
  
  
• Americans said they feel "healthy and full of energy" about 19 days per month.
  
  
• Nearly one-third of Americans say they suffer from some mental or emotional problem every month—including 10 percent who said their mental health was not good for 14 or more days a month.
  
  
• Younger American adults, aged 18–24 years, suffered the most mental health distress.
  
  
• Older adults suffered the most poor physical health and activity limitation.
  
  
• Native Americans and Alaska Natives have reported the highest levels of unhealthy days among American race/ethnicity groups.
  
  
• Adults with the lowest income or education reported more unhealthy days than did those with higher income or education.
  
  
• Americans with chronic diseases or disabilities reported high levels of unhealthy days.
  
  
  

Mean number of unhealthy days among adults by State—United States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2003

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Disease Specific Findings

Arthritis
A recent cross-sectional study of almost 10,000 adults found that adults with arthritis reported 4.6 more unhealthy days per month compared to adults without arthritis. Among adults with arthritis, the largest number of unhealthy days was experienced by women, younger persons, and persons with less than a college education.

• CDC's Arthritis Program

• CDC's Breast Cancer site
• CDC's Women's Health Program

• CDC's Cardiovascular Disease Program

• CDC's Diabetes Program
  
  
  
  

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This page last reviewed February 08, 2007