What are the best sources of data for arthritis prevalence for the nation?
The best source for national arthritis prevalence estimates is the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), an annual survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Each year, the NHIS samples U.S. households and gathers information on select adult and child members living in each household. Estimates of health conditions and behaviors from the NHIS are representative of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. In 2002, new questions (identical to the 2002 BRFSS Arthritis Burden Questions) were included on the NHIS survey to estimate arthritis prevalence in the United States. Cases are defined in the same way as in the BRFSS.
