Governor Stein Proclaims Arthritis Awareness Month

Arthritis Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue; and 

Whereas, arthritis is a chronic health problem that is the leading cause of physical disability among Americans and is most common among people with multiple chronic conditions; nearly 1.5 million adults in North Carolina have activity limitations caused by arthritis; and 

Whereas, among working-age adults with arthritis in North Carolina, 48 percent have minor work limitations due to their arthritis; and 

Whereas, an estimated 60 million American adults live with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, representing 24.1 percent of adults in the United States; and 22.9 percent of the population in North Carolina; and 

Whereas, an estimated 300,000 children under 18 years of age have a form of arthritis or rheumatic conditions, representing approximately 1 in every 250 children in the United States; and 

Whereas, arthritis costs the United States economy more than $304 billion each year, $140 billion in direct medical care costs and $164 billion in lost wages; and 

Whereas, in North Carolina, more than 2,116,000 are living with arthritis; in the U.S., 30.5 percent of adults with diabetes and 36.5 percent of adults with cardiovascular disease also have arthritis; and 

Whereas, veterans account for 232,000 people in North Carolina living with arthritis; one out of every three United States veterans live with arthritis; and arthritis is the top cause of disability among veterans; and

Whereas, research supporting better prevention strategies, interventions, and treatments is crucial to reducing the number of North Carolinians suffering from arthritis;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as “Arthritis Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.