Arthritis

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Arthritis affects 52.5 million U.S. adults, more than 1 in 5. It is the nation’s most common cause of disability. Learn more about arthritis, the proven ways to manage it and the resources available to public health professionals.

Main Topics

Interventions: Programs proven to improve quality of life for people with arthritis

State Programs: CDC-funded programs in health departments

Data & Statistics: Facts and figures about arthritis in the U.S.

Policy and Partnerships: CDC works with partners to promote and advance programs to create a sustainable impact

About Our Program: What CDC is doing

Arthritis Basics: General information

Resources: Links to more information

Funded Science: CDC-supported research

Publications: Publications and podcasts

Press Room: Information for the media

Arthritis Spotlights

image of a journal 1 in 5 U.S. adults have arthritis. 1 in 5 U.S. adults had arthritis in 2010-2012, an increase from 2007-2009. Read more.

3 women walking Recommended levels of physical activity are safe and provide many health benefits. A new CDC study shows that two and a half hours of physical activity per week does not increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis among middle-aged and older adults. Read more.

vector image for a group in a circle 1 in 9 adults with arthritis report social life limitations. 1 in 9 adults with arthritis report being limited in social participation activities like shopping, going to movies, visiting friends, or going to meetings. Read more.

Picture of blue sky 1 in 3 U.S. adults with arthritis have anxiety or depression. Anxiety is almost twice as common as depression, according to a new study. Read more.

Picture of chair Arthritis can make it more difficult to be physically active. More adults with arthritis are physically inactive than adults without arthritis. Read more.

Previous Spotlight Items

Visit the Spotlight on Science section for more Spotlight articles. Read more.

Arthritis and YOU!

Learn more about arthritis and how you can manage it.

Resources for State Coordinators

Data and Statistics

Physical activity by disease status United States 2005 and 2007

Physical activity is recommended for both heart disease and arthritis, but people with both conditions are physically inactive more often than people with heart disease alone. Arthritis creates barriers to being physically active, but people with heart disease and arthritis can safely engage in joint friendly activities and arthritis-specific exercise programs.