CDC: About One in Five U.S. Adults Have Chronic Pain

THURSDAY, Sept. 13, 2018 -- About 20.4 percent of U.S. adults have chronic pain and 8.0 percent have high-impact chronic pain, according to research published in the Sept. 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

James Dahlhamer, Ph.D., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Md., and colleagues analyzed 2016 National Health Interview Survey data to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in the United States.

The researchers found that an estimated 20.4 and 8.0 percent of U.S. adults had chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain, respectively. The prevalences of both chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain were higher among women; older adults; adults who were previously, but not currently, employed; adults living in poverty; those with public health insurance; and rural residents.

"These findings could be used to target pain management interventions," the authors write.