Health Disparity Statistics
Health disparities are differences in health outcomes and their causes among different groups of people. Reducing health disparities is a major goal of public health. Achieving health equity, eliminating disparities, and improving the health of all US population groups is a goal that cuts across CDC programs.
The following age-adjusted prevalence data are from the most recent, published analysis of racial/ethnic differences using three years (2013, 2014, 2015) of data from the National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative annual health survey conducted by CDC.¹
White, non-Hispanic
Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis: 22.6%.
Prevalence of arthritis-attributable activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 40.1%.
African American/Black, non-Hispanic
Prevalence of arthritis: 22.2%.
Prevalence of activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 48.6%.
Hispanic/Latino
Prevalence of arthritis: 15.4%.
Prevalence of activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 44.3%.
Asian, non-Hispanic
Prevalence of arthritis: 11.8%.
Prevalence of activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 37.6%.
Multi Race, non-Hispanic
Prevalence of arthritis: 25.2%.
Prevalence of activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 50.5%.
American Indian/Alaska Native
Prevalence of arthritis: 24.4%.
Prevalence of activity limitations among adults with arthritis: 51.6%.
References
- Barbour KE, Helmick CG, Boring M, Brady TJ. Vital signs: prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation—United States, 2013–2015. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66:246–253. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6609e1