Arthritis Facts

* The term “arthritis” includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal conditions.

* Nearly 40 million Americans have arthritis or a related disease.

* Arthritis affects 285,000 children in the United States.

* Arthritis costs the U.S. economy $64.8 billion a year in medical care and lost wages.

* Nearly two-thirds of all people with arthritis are women.

* Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting 15.8 million Americans.

* Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling forms, affecting 2.1 million Americans.

* Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability in America.

* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that 59.4 million Americans will have arthritis by 2000.

* 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the Arthritis Foundation, which was originally called the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation; the name was changed in 1964.

Source: Arthritis Foundation