On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Data Source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS
Baseline: 55.3 percent of adults aged 18 years and over with provider-diagnosed arthritis had severe or moderate joint pain in 2019
Target: 52.1 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
Numerator:
Please think about the past 30 days, keeping in mind all of your joint pain or aching and whether or not you have taken medication. During the past 30 days, how bad was your joint pain on average? Please answer on a scale of 0 - 10 where 0 is no pain or aching and 10 is pain or aching as bad as it can be.Severe joint pain: response of ≥7. Moderate joint pain: response of 4-6.
Denominator:
Have you EVER been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
[If yes:] The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. During the past 30 days, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness?
Age-adjustment notes
This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:
- Total: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Sex: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Race/Ethnicity: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Educational Attainment (25 years and over): 25-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Geographic Location: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Marital Status: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Country of Birth: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Veteran status (20 years and over): 20-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
- Sexual orientation: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
History
- Revised.
In 2022, due to the 2019 NHIS redesign, the baseline was revised from 56.8% in 2014 to 55.3% in 2019. The target was revised from Projection to Minimal statistical significance. The target was revised from 53.1% to 52.1% using a different target setting method.
- Revised.
In 2024, the following categories were recalculated with the use of a newer variable: Never married, American Indian or Alaska Native only, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, 2 or more races only, Not Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native only, Not Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, Not Hispanic or Latino 2 or more races only. Estimates from data year 2022 or earlier may vary slightly from estimates previously reported. The baseline, baseline year and target were not affected.