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Arthritis doesn't have to slow you down!

Minnesota Arthritis Data

According to the 2005 Minnesota Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1 out of 4 adults in our state - approximately 978,000 Minnesota adults - have arthritis that has been diagnosed by a physician.

People of all ages in Minnesota have arthritis, including 6,800 children. Of the adult population in Minnesota:

  • 12% of people ages 18-44 have physician-diagnosed arthritis
  • 32% of people ages 45-64 have physician-diagnosed arthritis
  • 55% of individuals age 65 and older have physician-diagnosed arthritis

Arthritis affects 46.4 million Americans. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability within the United States. As seen in the graph below, 17.5% or all disabilities in the U.S. are caused by arthritis. Of Minnesota adults with physician-diagnosed arthritis,36% or 353,000 are limited in their daily activities. About 35%, or 338,000 report arthritis affects their ability to work for pay.

Leading Causes of Disability Among U.S. Adults, 1999

Leading causes of disability among adults, United States, 1999

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Each year, estimated medical care and lost productivity costs in the United States for arthritis total $127.8 billion. The total for Minnesota is $2.2 million. Arthritis results in 44 million physician visits and nearly three fourths of a million hospitalizations each year.

There are over 150 conditions that fall under the umbrella of arthritis. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, juvenile arthritis and lupus. Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis from Lyme’s disease that has gone untreated are also forms of arthritis.

Minnesota Data

National Data