Arthritis strikes 3 Million U.S. Hispanics.

Arthritis affects 3.1 million Hispanics in the U.S. and causes severe joint pain and limitations for at least one in five of them, according to new CDC data released today at a congressional briefing hosted by the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Arthritis Foundation.  
 
The study, published in the Feb. 18 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is the first of its kind to report on the prevalence of arthritis in a nationally representative sample of seven specific Hispanic sub-groups, including Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, South and Central Americans, Dominicans and Cubans.  Among the key findings:

– An estimated 3.1 million Hispanics have arthritis.
– Puerto Ricans reported the highest prevalence (22 percent), which is similar to the prevalence for non-Hispanic whites (23 percent) and blacks (22 percent).
– Cubans/Cuban Americans reported the lowest prevalence (12 percent).
– The study looked at the prevalence of three significant arthritis-attributable effects: severe joint pain, activity limitations, and work limitations. While the prevalence varied across Hispanic sub-groups, at least one in five people in each sub-group reported each of the three effects.  
– Mexicans reported the highest work limitations.
– Puerto Ricans reported the most joint pain and highest activity limitations.

“These findings suggest a critical need to expand the reach of effective strategies aimed at arthritis prevention and management, particularly among underserved populations,” said Dr. John H. Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.

According to Dr. Jane L. Delgado, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, “Seeing your health provider, engaging in movement, maintaining a healthy weight, and learning techniques to manage arthritis can dramatically improve lives.  However, it is only by tailoring services to the needs of individuals that we will achieve this goal.  Today’s first-ever data from the CDC on arthritis and Hispanic sub-groups is an important step in that effort.”

“Hispanics are the nation’s largest group after non-Hispanic whites, and will account for nearly a third of our population by 2050. That is why it’s important to understand how arthritis – the most common cause of disability – affects their lives and their work,” said Dr. Wayne H. Giles, director of the Division of Adult and Community Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This study advances that understanding and will help us to target our limited resources in ways that maximize the impact public health measures can have on improving the lives of Hispanics with arthritis.”

For more information at http://www.hispanichealth.org>