A new study reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in arthritis prevalence and severity among U.S. adults, with American Indian and Alaska Native populations bearing the heaviest burden.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 30.3% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults have arthritis, compared to 22.9% of non-Hispanic white adults. The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, analyzed data from nearly 32,000 participants in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey.
Among those with arthritis, American Indians/Alaska Natives also reported the highest rates of severe joint pain at 39.1%, followed by non-Hispanic Black adults at 36.4% and Hispanic adults at 35.7%. In contrast, only 22.5% of white adults with arthritis experienced severe pain.
“Our estimates present an emerging awareness of the very high prevalence of arthritis and severe joint pain in American Indian/Alaska Native adults,” the study authors wrote. They noted this disparity “has not been addressed with public health actions that prioritize specific populations that are at higher risk.”
The researchers found these disparities persisted even after accounting for factors like socioeconomic status, body mass index, depression history, and other health conditions. Additional analysis considering inability to pay medical bills and food insecurity also failed to explain the racial and ethnic differences.
The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the disproportionate impact of arthritis on minority communities, particularly American Indians and Alaska Natives.
See “Race, ethnic disparities seen in age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis” (July 17, 2024)
