Objective: This study examined the racial and ethnic differences in individuals with self-reported and doctor-diagnosed arthritis, severe joint pain, and provider counseling for physical activity among US adults with arthritis.
Methods: We estimated prevalence by race and ethnicity among 31,997 adults aged ≥18 years in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. We used multiple logistic regression models to investigate associations between outcomes and race and ethnicity.
Results: Compared with non-Hispanic White adults (22.9%), we found a significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence of arthritis among American Indian/Alaska Native adults (30.3%). Among adults with arthritis, higher age-adjusted prevalence of severe joint pain among American Indian/Alaska Native (39.1%), non-Hispanic Black (36.4%), and Hispanic adults (35.7% vs 22.5% [White]) and higher provider counseling for physical activity among non-Hispanic Black adults (58.9% vs 52.1% [White]) were observed and could not be fully explained by differences in socioeconomic factors, body mass index, depression history, and comorbid conditions. Additional models also containing inability to pay medical bills and food insecurity did not explain racial and ethnic differences.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight a need for multilevel interventions to mitigate social and environmental barriers to physical activity and eliminate disparities in individuals with arthritis and severe joint pain.
© 2024 American College of Rheumatology. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.