Age and Arthritis

American Fitness, Nov, 1998

If your back aches or hips hurt, you're not alone. An estimated 40 million Americans have some form of arthritis or other rheumatic condition. In a recent survey, more than half of those who reported having arthritis were under 65. The numbers will rise as baby boomers get older, according to a report published collaboratively by the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology.

"Arthritis is a leading cause of disability," says Stephen I. Katz. M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. "With the aging population, it will increasingly burden individuals and the economy. This report should draw attention to the escalating impact of arthritis and help us plan future research and prevention efforts."

The best available estimates relating to rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders in the United States can be found in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.