CDC Report: "Arthritis Impacts Blacks And Hispanics More Than Whites

Arthritis Impacts African-Americans and Hispanics More than Whites
Arthritis causes more pain and limitations for African-Americans and
Hispanics than for whites, according to a study released today by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

African-Americans were 17 percent less likely to report having arthritis
than whites, and Hispanics were 46 percent less likely to report the
condition than whites, the study said. However, African-Americans and
Hispanics with arthritis were almost twice as likely to report severe
joint pain and work limitations attributed to their arthritis when
compared to whites, it said.

The study, "Difference in the Prevalence and Impact of Arthritis among
Racial/Ethnic Groups," was published in the journal Preventing Chronic
Disease.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States,
affecting 1 in 5 adults. It interferes with work and other daily
activities and can complicate the management of other chronic diseases.
Arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect
joints and other connective tissue.

The reason for the racial and ethnic differences, while unknown, may
result from a lack of access to health care, language barriers and
cultural differences, the report says.

" We must address these stark differences in arthritis impact by using
what we know,'' said Jennifer Hootman, an epidemiologist for the CDC
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and
co-author of the report. "We can educate those with arthritis about
increasing physical activity and self-management and reducing obesity,
especially those in groups bearing a disproportionate burden from
arthritis."

The data, collected from the CDC National Health Interview Survey, are
the first to estimate the national prevalence of arthritis and assess
its impact among smaller racial and ethnic groups that are usually
grouped together when reporting health statistics
For more information about arthritis prevalence and impact, visit CDC's
Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/.

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services