Data and Statistics

National Statistics

Based on 2007-2009 data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)(1), an estimated

50 million (22%) of adults have self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
21 million (9% of all adults) have arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation.

Based on 2003 NHIS data (2) a projected

67 million (25%) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030.
An estimated 25 million adults (37%) of those with arthritis will report arthritis-attributable activity limitations.

Additional Information
The best source for national arthritis prevalence estimates is the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), an annual survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Each year, the NHIS samples U.S. households and gathers information on select adult and child members living in each household. Estimates of health conditions and behaviors from the NHIS are representative of the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population. Read more about the NHIS surveillance. Specific NHIS Arthritis related questions (ACN.250_00.000 thru ACN.295.000) are available

[PDF - 2.2Mb] .
More on the impact of arthritis and associated health behaviors:

References

Cheng YJ, Hootman JM, Murphy LB, Langmaid GA, Helmick CG. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation — United States, 2007–2009. MMWR 2010;59(39):1261–1265. html pdf [1.61 MB]
Hootman JM, Helmick CG. Projections of U.S. prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54(1):266–229. abstract