National Statistics

Print
Related Pages
On This Page

All reported statistics on this page are based on the National Health Interview Survey, which collects data on a broad range of health topics through personal household interviews with US adults.

Arthritis Prevalence

From 2016 to 2018, about 1 in 4 US adults (23.7%) about 58.5 million people had doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Arthritis was more common in women (24.7%) compared to men (20.0%), more common among adults with fair/poor health (51.2%) compared to those who have excellent/very good health (15.2%), and less common among adults who meet physical activity recommendations (18.8%) compared to adults who are insufficiently active or inactive (27.0% and 30.9%, respectively).  Arthritis prevalence increased with age.1

Arthritis-Attributable Limitations
  • Arthritis can have substantial impacts on function. About 44.0% (25.7 million) of the 58.5 million adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis had limitations in their usual activities due to their arthritis.1
  • Learn more about arthritis-attributable limitations.
Top of Page
Arthritis Prevalence by Physical Activity Levels
  • Arthritis prevalence was highest among adults reporting no leisure time physical activity (30.9%) compared to those who are insufficiently active (27.0%) or who meet physical activity recommendations (18.8%).1
  • Arthritis symptoms can be a barrier to physical activity, and inactivity among people with arthritis is associated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and functional limitations. However, regular physical activity can be an important way to reduce pain, improve function, and manage symptoms for people with arthritis and other chronic conditions.
  • Learn more about the importance of physical activity on our physical activity for arthritis page.
Top of Page
Future Arthritis Burden
  • The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis is expected to increase in the coming decades.
  • By 2040, an estimated 78.4 million adults aged 18 years and older (25.9% of the projected total adult population) will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis,2 compared to the 58.5 million adults in 2016–2018 (23.7%).1

National Arthritis Prevalence Projections

CDC Vitalsigns chart shows the following information: By the year 2040, an estimated 78.4 million (25.9%26#37; of the projected total adult population) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis,2 compared with the 54.4 million adults in 2013-2015. Two-thirds of those with arthritis will be women. Also by 2040, an estimated 34.6 million adults (43.2%26#37; of adults with arthritis or 11.4%26#37; of all US adults) will report arthritis-attributable activity limitations.

Estimated and Projected Number of Adults with Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis in the United States

Data Source: 2013–2015 National Health Interview Survey

Text description available

Top of Page
References
  1. Theis KA, Murphy LB, Guglielmo D, et al. Prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation — United States, 2016–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1401–1407. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7040a2
  2. Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, Theis KA, Boring MA. Updated projected prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation among US adults, 2015–2040.  Arthritis & Rheumatol. 2016;68(7):1582–1587. doi: 10.1002/art.39692. PubMed PMID: 27015600.
Top of Page