Health
The crippling reach of arthritis
■ An occasional snapshot of current facts and trends in medicine.
Quick View. Posted Dec. 3, 2007
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Some 46 million Americans have arthritis, and nearly 19 million have limitations from it. As part of the National Health Information Survey, adults were asked if they had been told by their physician or other health professional they have arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia. Overall, in 2006, women were more likely than men to answer yes. Black and white women had comparable prevalence, but both groups were more likely to report having some form of arthritis than were Hispanic women. Prevalence rates were higher among white men than among black or Hispanic men.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Health Interview Survey, 2006
