ATLANTA (August 22, 2025) — October 12 is World Arthritis Day. Established in 1996 to raise global awareness of arthritis, World Arthritis Day is a time to build awareness of arthritis as a serious public health issue. The Arthritis Foundation commemorates this special day to spread the word about the far-reaching impact of arthritis and to celebrate the strength and resilience of individuals and families who live with arthritis every day. 

Although arthritis is among the most common diseases in the world, people can be unaware of its potent physical, emotional and economic impact. Often, its impact is overlooked or downplayed as “inevitable” with old age. World Arthritis Day is an opportunity to change that misconception — to shine a light on this painful disease and drive action for better care, better treatments and a better future.

The Impact of Arthritis

Arthritis is often called an “invisible disease” but the toll it takes on patients is all too real and easy to see when one becomes aware of basic arthritis facts, including:

·       1 in 4 adults have been diagnosed with arthritis by a health care provider.

·       90% of those living with arthritis say pain interferes with their daily lives.

·       Two-thirds of adults with arthritis are younger than 65 and are likely to deal with arthritis pain at work. 

From osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to juvenile arthritis and lupus, these conditions limit mobility, disrupt daily life and carry significant emotional and financial burdens. Years of patient-reported data tell us that people with arthritis are concerned with six key areas of life that arthritis can directly affect:

1. Managing Pain
2. Emotional well-being and mental health
3. Nutrition
4. Medical outcomes
5. Struggles of daily living
6. Access to health care — insurance, medications, doctors 

The Arthritis Foundation provides arthritis information and resources to help patients manage their disease so they can live their best possible life. Patients gain knowledge from experts who partner with us to deliver webinars, the Live Yes! With Arthritis podcast and at in-person events across the country. Through our Connect Groups, patients find support and build new relationships with peers who are also on an arthritis journey. 

This World Arthritis Day, we salute the millions of adults, children and caregivers living with arthritis each day.