Section II: The Public Health Approach to Arthritis

Let's take a look at some of the principles of public health as they apply to a specific public health challenge: arthritis.

Arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues. It affects an estimated 46 million Americans - nearly one of every five people, making it one of the most common conditions in the United States. Although this prevalence is high, it is expected to increase even more as the U.S. population ages. By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people will have arthritis. This trend is due in large part to the growing number of older Americans over the next 25 years and to the relatively high frequency of arthritis, primarily osteoarthritis, among older people.

In addition, because of their arthritis, over 7 million Americans are limited in their ability to participate in their usual daily [1] activities. Adults with arthritis-attributable activity limitation are projected to increase from 16.9 million (7.9%) to 25 million (9.3% of the US adult population) by 2030. [2]

¹Hootman J, Bolen J, Helmick C, Langmaid G. Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation—United States, 2003-2005. MMWR [View the errata for this article here and here.] 2006;55(40):1089–1092.html pdf (512K)

²Hootman JM, Helmick CG. Projections of U.S. prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54(1):266–229. abstract