Arthritis

Spotlight

First study to examine the national burden of arthritis among specific Hispanic groups

An estimated 3.1 million Hispanic adults in the United States have arthritis.

A newly released CDC study provides information on the burden of arthritis among specific Hispanic groups in the United States. CDC found the prevalence of arthritis varied across Hispanic populations, ranging from 12% among Cuban/Cuban-Americans to 22% among Puerto Ricans. The study also showed that at least one in five Hispanics with arthritis experienced an adverse effect associated with arthritis such as activity limitations and pain. Approximately 1.4 million Hispanics had activity limitations due to arthritis, making it the most common attributable effect across Hispanic groups.

In this report, CDC described the prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable effects (activity limitations, work limitations, pain) among seven groups of Hispanics. The Hispanic groups were— Mexicans; Mexican Americans; Central and South Americans; Puerto Ricans; other or Multiple Hispanics; Cuban/Cuban Americans; and Dominicans. This analysis was based on data from the National Health Interview Survey, a survey that is designed to be representative of the U.S. civilian population.

+Age-adjusted prevalence of three arthritis-attributable effects among Hispanic adults with arthritis, by Hispanic subgroup – United States, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2009

Hispanic subgroup* Subgroups are in increasing order of arthritis-attributable activity limitation prevalence.

Exercise can help ease arthritis pain. Exercise is a proven way to reduce arthritis pain and increase physical function. Walking is a safe and effective way to start reducing arthritis pain today. Learn more about managing arthritis pain at http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/interventions.htm.

Spanish language courses have been developed to teach Spanish speakers skills for managing their arthritis.

Programa de Manejo Personal de la Artritis (Arthritis Self Management Program) is a class developed specifically for people with arthritis.
Tomando Control de Su Salud (Taking Control of Your Health) is a class that addresses arthritis and other chronic conditions such as heart disease.
Manejando Mi Artritis (The Arthritis Toolkit) is a self-study program for Spanish speaking adults with arthritis.

Data Source

Murphy LB, Bolen J, Schieb L, Hootman, JM, Langmaid GA, Cheng YJ, et al. Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Effects Among Hispanic Adults, by Hispanic Subgroup — United States, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2009. MMWR 2011;60(6):167-171. html pdf [1.1MB]

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