Racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence and impact of doctor-diagnosed arthritis--United States, 2002.

Arthritis is among the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States, diagnosed in approximately 21% of adults. In addition, arthritis is the most common reported cause of disability and the third leading cause of work limitation in the United States. Racial/ethnic differences have been documented in the prevalence of arthritis and in the prevalence of limitations caused by arthritis. To examine racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence and impact of arthritis, CDC analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, when compared with whites, a higher proportion of blacks had arthritis-attributable activity limitations, work limitations, and severe joint pain, and a higher proportion of Hispanics had arthritis-attributable work limitations and severe joint pain. Examining racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence and impact of arthritis is important to identify priority populations for public health interventions.