# How to prevent arthritis: an evidence-based guide | Arthritis Prevention

Source: https://arthritisprevention.org/

# Arthritis prevention, from public health sources.

You cannot change your age or your genes, but you can lower your chances of some kinds of arthritis, or delay them. This reference summarizes what the CDC and the National Institutes of Health say, with a link to every source.

Knees and hips carry body weight, which is one reason they are common sites of osteoarthritis.

- [How to prevent arthritis](https://arthritisprevention.org/how-to-prevent-arthritis/) — the five steps with the strongest public health support.
- [Risk factors](https://arthritisprevention.org/risk-factors/) — which ones you can change, and which you cannot.
- [Osteoarthritis prevention](https://arthritisprevention.org/osteoarthritis-prevention/) — the most common type, and how to delay it.
- [Rheumatoid arthritis risk](https://arthritisprevention.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-risk/) — an autoimmune disease, smoking, and early care.
- [Gout prevention](https://arthritisprevention.org/gout-prevention/) — uric acid, diet, and flares.
- [Exercise for joint health](https://arthritisprevention.org/exercise-for-joint-health/) — how much, and which activities are joint-friendly.
- [Healthy weight and your joints](https://arthritisprevention.org/healthy-weight-and-joints/) — why weight matters most for knees and hips.
- [Joint injury prevention](https://arthritisprevention.org/joint-injury-prevention/) — why an old injury can become arthritis later.
- [Healthy eating patterns](https://arthritisprevention.org/healthy-eating/) — three generally healthy ways of eating, with example meals, grocery lists, and prep tips. Not a treatment, and not medical advice.
- [Sources](https://arthritisprevention.org/sources/) — every public source this site uses.

The eating guides are general nutrition information. They do not treat, cure, prevent, reverse, or improve arthritis or any other condition. Talk with a qualified clinician before changing what you eat, especially if you have a health condition or take medication.

This page summarizes public health guidance. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose joint pain. If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness that lasts, see a health care provider.