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Arthritis is a common chronic disease, affecting an estimated 53.2 million adults (21.2%) in the US. \"Arthritis\" is a general term, describing over 100 conditions with different etiologies, pathogeneses, symptoms, and treatments. Few studies have examined the prevalence and distribution of arthritis subtypes in the US. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2017 to March 2020 to estimate the prevalence of arthritis subtypes overall and by sociodemographic characteristics. The overall prevalence of any type of diagnosed arthritis among US adults aged 20 years or older in this study was 27.9% (67.1 million). Among adults with diagnosed arthritis, osteoarthritis (49.6%, 33.2 million) was the most common arthritis subtype, followed by rheumatoid arthritis (15.8%, 10.6 million) and psoriatic arthritis (1.4%, 1.0 million). More than 1 in 10 reported some other type of unlisted arthritis (11.5%, 7.7 million), and 1 in 5 did not know their arthritis subtype (21.6%, 14.4 million). Prevalence of not knowing arthritis type was approximately 1 in 4 for adults identifying as non-Hispanic Black (26.7%) or other Hispanic (29.5%) and for adults who reported low family income (26.7%) and was approximately 1 in 3 for adults identifying as Mexican American (31.9%), having less than a high school education (31.8%), or not having health insurance (36.1%). Understanding arthritis type is important for improving treatment, self-management, and health outcomes associated with arthritis. Improving organizational and personal health literacy are potential strategies that may reduce the prevalence of not knowing arthritis type.

What is already known about this topic? Arthritis is a leading cause of activity limitations, disability, and chronic pain, and is associated with dispensed opioid prescriptions, substantially contributing to health care costs. What is added by this report? During 2019–2021, 21.2% of U.S. adults (53.2 million) reported diagnosed arthritis. Approximately one half (52.2%–62.4%) of adults aged ≥65 years with self-reported diagnosed dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer also had a reported diagnosis of arthritis. What are the implications for public health practice? These prevalence estimates can be used to guide public health policies and activities to increase equitable access to physical activity opportunities within the built environment and other community-based, arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based interventions.

Arthritis affects persons of all ages, including younger adults, adolescents, and children; however, recent arthritis prevalence estimates among children and adolescents aged <18 years are not available. Previous prevalence estimates among U.S. children and adolescents aged <18 years ranged from 21 to 403 per 100,000 population depending upon the case definition used. CDC analyzed aggregated 2017-2021 National Survey of Children's Health data to estimate the national prevalence of parent-reported arthritis diagnosed among children and adolescents aged <18 years. An estimated 220,000 (95% CI = 187,000-260,000) U.S. children and adolescents aged <18 years (305 per 100,000) had diagnosed arthritis. Arthritis prevalence among non-Hispanic Black or African American children and adolescents was twice that of non-Hispanic White children and adolescents. Co-occurring conditions, including depression, anxiety, overweight, physical inactivity, and food insecurity were associated with higher prevalences of arthritis. These findings highlight that children and adolescents should be prioritized for arthritis prevention and treatments by identifying risk factors for arthritis, developing self-management interventions to improve arthritis, physical activity or weight control, and screening and linking to mental health services. Health systems and payors can take steps to ensure equitable access to therapies (e.g., physical therapies and medications).

What is already known about this topic? Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can lead to chronic pain and disability. U.S. veterans experience higher rates of diagnosed arthritis than nonveterans. What is added by this report? Approximately one third of U.S. veterans reported diagnosed arthritis during 2017–2021. Among men aged 18–44 years, the arthritis prevalence among veterans was double that among nonveterans, and among women aged 18–44 years, the arthritis prevalence among veterans was 60% higher than among nonveterans. What are the implications for public health practice? Multisectoral partnerships among public health departments, community-based organizations, veteran-serving organizations, health care providers, and payors can help achieve equitable access to arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based programs for veterans to prevent or limit progression of arthritis, particularly among disproportionately affected groups and relatively younger veterans who might have been living longer with arthritis.