About Arthritis

As the nation’s #1 cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children. Over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions damage the joints and often other organs.

Helpful Tools for You

Beyond the Joint Pain: The Hidden Toll of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Mental Health

Beyond the Joint Pain: The Hidden Toll of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Mental Health

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often described in terms of physical pain, swollen joints, and stiffness. But for many people, the struggle is more than skin (or joint) deep. RA doesn’t just ... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis &Pain Management

March 02, 202513 min read

Targeting ELK3: A Potential Breakthrough in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Targeting ELK3: A Potential Breakthrough in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide, causing painful joint inflammation and progressive damage to cartilage and bone​ news-medical.net ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis &Pain Management

February 27, 20259 min read

Exercise and Other Therapies Ease Pain in Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Exercise and Other Therapies Ease Pain in Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common form of arthritis in children and teens​. It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joints, leading to inflammation. ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment About Arthritis &Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

February 25, 20257 min read

New EULAR Guidance: Treating Arthritis After Cancer Remission

New EULAR Guidance: Treating Arthritis After Cancer Remission

For people with inflammatory arthritis who have also overcome cancer, managing arthritis can be a delicate balancing act. Many cancer survivors with conditions like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis w... ...more

Arthritis ,Treatment &About Arthritis

February 23, 202510 min read

Millions of Americans Struggle with Gout: The Ongoing Challenge of Treatment Adherence

Millions of Americans Struggle with Gout: The Ongoing Challenge of Treatment Adherence

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid, and it affects millions of Americans. In fact, roughly 4% of the U.S. population (about 8–9 million people) lives with gout... ...more

Arthritis ,diet Treatment About Arthritis &Gout

February 22, 20259 min read

Genetic Breakthrough: 13 Newly Identified Genes May Hold the Key to Osteoarthritis Prevention

Genetic Breakthrough: 13 Newly Identified Genes May Hold the Key to Osteoarthritis Prevention

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32 million Americans. Characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and the gradual breakdown of cartilage, OA can make even sim... ...more

Treatment ,About Arthritis &Osteoarthritis

February 10, 20251 min read

Back to Home

Effects of Arthritis

Cause of Disability

In the United States, 23% of all adults, or more than 54 million people, have arthritis. It is a leading cause of work disability, with annual costs for medical care and lost earnings of $303.5 billion.

Workforce Effects

Sixty percent of US adults with arthritis are of working age (18 to 64 years). Arthritis can limit the type of work they are able to do or keep them from working at all.

Global Impact

In fact, 8 million working-age adults report that their ability to work is limited because of their arthritis. For example, they may have a hard time climbing stairs or walking from a parking deck to their workplace.

Promoting Interventions That Reduce Arthritis Pain

American Arthritis Foundation recognizes several proven approaches to reduce arthritis symptoms:

  • Be active. Physical activity—such as walking, bicycling, and swimming—decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life. Adults with arthritis should move more and sit less throughout the day. Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week is recommended.

  • Protect your joints. People can help prevent osteoarthritis by avoiding activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries.

  • Talk with a doctor. Recommendations from health care providers can motivate people to be physically active and join a self-management education program. Should your arthritis be interfering with your activities of daily living you may be a candidate to receive many new treatments, and learn how to reverse the arthritis condition.

Learn more about Arthritis:

Arthritis Advice

Get better control of your arthritis with help from our experts. Arthritis can be confusing, but don't worry, we have the tips you need to make it easier to manage.

Proud Member of the Society for Nonprofits

Have a question?

We're Here to Help

By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the business.

Copyright © 2025 American Arthritis Foundation, a qualified 501(c)(3) EIN 87-4004425, All rights reserved.