Prevalence and impact of arthritis by race and ethnicity--United States, 1989-1991.

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million persons in 1995 and a projected 60 million by 2020. Previous reports have documented marked differences in the prevalence rates of arthritis and related activity limitations by race and ethnicity, suggesting the relative importance of arthritis might vary among these groups. In addition, race and ethnicity are associated with important differences in health characteristics and must be addressed in efforts to reduce health disparities as specified by the national health objectives for the year 2000. To examine the relative importance of arthritis among these groups, data from the 1989-1991 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to estimate the prevalence of self-reported arthritis and related activity limitation by race and ethnicity, compare these estimates to those for other chronic conditions, and estimate these prevalences for 2020.