Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Arthritis Prevalence
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
Arthritis Prevalence by County, New Jersey, 2015-2017
Estimated Percentage of Adults (Age-adjusted)
- Undetermined
- 15.5% - 18.6%
- 18.6%+ - 20.8%
- 20.8%+ - 23.8%
- 23.8%+ - 28.2%
Why Is This Important?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis affects 1 in 5 adults and continues to be the most common cause of disability in the United States. Common arthritis symptoms of pain and stiffness are usually caused by degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). Arthritis includes over 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues which surround the joint and other connective tissue. Other forms include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and gout. Certain rheumatic conditions can also involve auto-immune processes in which the body's immune system attacks joint tissue and various internal organs of the body. Although arthritis is more commonly seen in older adults, young and working age adults can also be affected. All of the human and economic costs are projected to increase over time as the population ages.
Definition
The percentage of adults who have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.
All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.
Data Source
Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health(http://www.nj.gov/health/chs/njbrfs/)
How the Measure is Calculated
| Numerator: | Includes survey respondents ages 18 and older who reported being told by a doctor or other health professional that they had some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. |
| Denominator: | Number of survey respondents aged 18 and older excluding responses of "Don't know/Not sure," those who "Refused" to answer, and "Missing" responses. |
How Are We Doing?
In 2017, approximately 20% of New Jersey adults were estimated to have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Prevalence ranged from 4.1% among persons aged 18-34 to 47.2% among persons aged 65 and above.
Available Services
Arthritis Foundation, New Jersey Chapter, State Headquarters 555 Route 1 South, Suite 320 Iselin, NJ 08830 Phone: 732.283.4300 Toll-free: 888-467-3112 info.nj@arthritis.org Website: www.arthritis.org
More Resources
www.arthritis.org