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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Reduce the proportion of adults with arthritis who have moderate or severe joint pain — A‑01 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 55.3 percent of adults aged 18 years and over with provider-diagnosed arthritis had severe or moderate joint pain in 2019

Target: 52.1 percent

Numerator
Adults aged 18 years and over with provider-diagnosed arthritis who experience severe or moderate joint pain.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over with provider-diagnosed arthritis who had joint pain in the past 30 days.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective, but it was not possible to project a target because the trend was moving away from the desired direction. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because the Healthy People 2030 Workgroup Subject Matter Experts expected minimal improvement in the next decade.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)
Numerator:
Please think about the past 30 days, keeping in mind all of your joint pain or aching and whether or not you have taken medication. During the past 30 days, how bad was your joint pain on average? Please answer on a scale of 0 - 10 where 0 is no pain or aching and 10 is pain or aching as bad as it can be.

Severe joint pain: response of ≥7. Moderate joint pain: response of 4-6.

Denominator:
Have you EVER been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know

    5. [If yes:] The next questions refer to your joints. Please do NOT include the back or neck. During the past 30 days, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness?

  5. Yes
  6. No
  7. Refused
  8. Don't know

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Sex: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Educational Attainment (25 years and over): 25-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Geographic Location: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Marital Status: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Country of Birth: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Veteran status (20 years and over): 20-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Sexual orientation: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Modified, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 but underwent a change in measurement.
Changes between HP2020 and HP2030
This objective differs from Healthy People 2020 objective AOCBC-1 in that objective AOCBC-1 tracked the mean level of joint pain while this objective tracks severe and moderate joint pain.
Revision History
  • Revised. 

    In 2022, due to the 2019 NHIS redesign, the baseline was revised from 56.8% in 2014 to 55.3% in 2019. The target was revised from Projection to Minimal statistical significance. The target was revised from 53.1% to 52.1% using a different target setting method.
  • Revised. 

    In 2024, the following categories were recalculated with the use of a newer variable: Never married, American Indian or Alaska Native only, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, 2 or more races only, Not Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native only, Not Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, Not Hispanic or Latino 2 or more races only. Estimates from data year 2022 or earlier may vary slightly from estimates previously reported. The baseline, baseline year and target were not affected.