Updated: January 2023

Author: Division of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Vermont Department of Health

Arthritis includes more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Other forms of arthritis that occur often are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and gout. Symptoms include pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms.

Arthritis is typically considered a disorder of the elderly but people of all ages (including children) can be affected. In 2013, more than a quarter (28%) of Vermont adults said they have arthritis, statistically higher than the 25% reported for all U.S. adults. Arthritis is more common in those over the age of 65, with 53% of Vermonters in that age group having arthritis. Vermont women report having arthritis at statistically significantly higher rates than men, is more common among people of low socio-economic status, and it affects members of all racial and ethnic groups. Arthritis is also more common among adults who are overweight or obese than among those who are normal weight or underweight.

Men and women report similar rates of activity limitations due to their arthritis (51% men and 49% women). Rates were lowest among those with a college degree or higher, however, differences by education level were also not statistically significant (52% high school degree or less, 54% some college education, and 41% college degree or higher). Activity limitations due to arthritis decrease with increasing annual household incomes. Those in homes making less than $25,000 per year are significantly more likely to report activity limitations (68%) compared with all other income levels. Likewise, those in homes making $75,000 or more are significantly less likely to report activity limitations due to arthritis (30%) compared to other income levels. Forty-six percent of adults with arthritis in homes making $25,000-$49,999 and 44% of those in homes making $50,000-$74,999 reported activity limitations. Regarding age, there were too few respondents to be able to look at data for those 18-24. However, among older age groups there were no statistical differences in activity limitations by age (47% among those 25-44, 50% among those 45-64, and 45% among those 65 and older).

Analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey suggests arthritis negatively affects physical as well as mental health.* The results show the health-related quality of life of people with arthritis was two to three times worse than people without it. However, it also showed that people with arthritis who were physically active reported better health-related quality of life than those who were inactive.

This indicator is important because arthritis can significantly impact an individual's quality of life through reduced social activities, work and overall activity. About half (49%) of Vermont adults with arthritis said they limited in their usual activities due to arthritis or joint symptoms, while a third (32%) said their arthritis or joint symptoms affects whether they work, the type of work they do, and/or the amount of work they do. Nearly four out of ten (38%) Vermont adults with arthritis said their arthritis or joint symptoms limited their social activities at least a little. About one in seven (15%) said their social activities are limited "a lot" by their arthritis or joint symptoms, while nearly a quarter (23%) said they are affected a little.

*Furner, S. E., Hootman, J. M., Helmick, C. G., Bolen, J. and Zack, M. M. (2011), Health-related quality of life of US adults with arthritis: Analysis of data from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Arthritis Care Res, 63: 788–799. doi: 10.1002/acr.20430

VDH district offices

Local decision makers (select board members, town officials, public works, recreation and parks departments)

Local residents and businesses

Regional Planning Commissions

Vermont Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Physical activity advocates: bike/pedestrian advocates, such as Local Motion, local trails, environmental or conservation groups that are concerned about preserving open space or car emissions

• AARP
• Physicians

Vermont Blueprint for Health

Local Community Health Teams

The CDC recommends a number of evidence-based interventions to help adults with arthritis lead more active and healthy lives. The Arthritis Program at the CDC has created a compendium to help in selecting appropriate interventions. Compendium of Arthritis Appropriate Physical Activity and Self-Management Education Interventions

This includes a number of self-management and physical activity programs. One evidence-based program that is currently offered in Vermont is the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) which can be found on the My Healthy Vermont website. VDH is partnering with the YMCA and the Blueprint to promote the workshops through the website and through ongoing communication to educate the public and health care providers about the programs offered through the self-management programs.

Due to lack of dedicated funding, the Vermont Department of Health does not have an arthritis program. Our strategy is to work with key partners to create an environment that supports physical activity for all Vermonters through built environments and modifications that support walking, biking and other activity. Additionally, we promote the Healthier Living Workshops and employ one of the master trainers for the many Stanford self-management programs (chronic disease, pain management, diabetes, and cancer programs).

There are three behaviors, tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor diet, that lead to four chronic diseases (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and lung disease) that result in more than 50% of death in Vermont. By focusing on the health and well-being of all Vermonters through promotion of physical activity, nutrition and tobacco prevention and cessation, we can help to prevent arthritis and ensure better quality of life for those who are living with the disease.

Activity limitations data is collected in odd years, the most recent year being 2013. While, the proportion of adults with arthritis that have activity limitations decreased from 2011 to 2013, the difference is not statistically significant (49% vs. 51%). Because of the change in BRFSS methodology in 2011, we can't make statistical comparisons to data collected earlier than 2011.

Data is updated as it becomes available and timing may vary by data source. For more information about this indicator, click here.

This indicator is age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. In U.S. data, age adjustment is used for comparison of regions with varying age breakdowns. In order to remain consistent with the methods of comparison at a national level, some statistics in Vermont were age adjusted. In cases where age adjustment was noted as being part of the statistical analysis, the estimates were adjusted based on the proportional age breakdowns of the U.S. population in 2000. For more detailed information on age adjustment visit /www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statnt/statnt20.pdf.

Due to BRFSS weighting methodology changes beginning in 2011, comparisons between data collected in 2011 and later and that from 2010 and earlier should be made with caution. Differences between data from 2011 forward and earlier years may be due to methodological changes, rather than changes in opinion or behavior.