One in 20 working-age adults (aged 18-64 years) and 1 in 3 working-age adults with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis in the United States are affected by AAWL (arthritis-attributable work limitation), according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the October 12, 2007 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly. The CDC analyzed data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, to estimate state-specific prevalence of AAWL and the percentage employed among working-age American adults with AAWL.

The state-specific prevalence of AAWL among all working-age adults ranged from 3.4 percent (Hawaii) to 15.0 percent (Kentucky) (median 6.7 percent) in 2003. Among those with self-reported, doctor-diagnosed arthritis, the prevalence of AAWL ranged from 25.1 percent (Nevada) to 51.3 percent (Kentucky) (median 33.0 percent). In every state, persons with AAWL reported being employed less frequently than working-age adults in the state overall and people with arthritis who did not have work limitations. The report emphasizes that greater use of interventions is needed to help persons with arthritis become and stay employed.

Related Resources:

• Work & Disability Issues
• Can I Continue to Work?
• Social Security Disability: Do You Qualify?
• Arthritis Affects Work and Leisure Activities
• Workplace Stress: Solutions for People With Arthritis

_{Photo by Ed Hidden (iStockphoto)}