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

1. 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