Data and Statistics

Data and Statistics National Statistics State Statistics Arthritis Related Statistics Cost Statistics Racial/Ethnic Differences See Also: Quick Stats Schedule of Surveillance Products BRFSS Arthritis Questions 1996-2009 Overview of Arthritis Surveillance FAQs (Data Related) State Surveillance Recommendations Arthritis Case Definition (Adult) Arthritis Case Definition (Pediatric)

Overview of Arthritis Surveillance

Public health surveillance is defined as the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice, closely integrated with the timely dissemination of these data to those responsible for prevention and control. It is the cornerstone of informed decision making and programmatic action. For this reason, surveillance is one of the primary activities conducted and supported by the CDC Arthritis Program.

Surveillance data are used to:

• Raise the visibility of arthritis among the public and decision makers by documenting the magnitude of the arthritis problem.
   
• Monitor the burden and track trends within various sub groups.
   
• Put arthritis in perspective relative to other health conditions.
   
• Allow for comparison among states.
   
• Guide program efforts by identifying “high risk” populations.
   
• Identify disparities in occurrence and impact of arthritis.
   
• Track progress toward meeting program objectives.
   
• Provide information to people interested in arthritis.

Page last reviewed: June 8, 2008
Page last modified: June 13, 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