Title 13. Miscellaneous Health Care Programs — Subtitle 5. Arthritis Prevention and Control Act

In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Advisory Council” means the State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness.

“Program” means the Arthritis Prevention and Control Program.

Arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues, and other connective tissues;

As one of the most common family of diseases in the United States, arthritis affects nearly one of every six Americans and will impact an estimated 60,000,000 people by the year 2020;

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, limiting daily activities for more than 7,000,000 people;

Although prevailing myths inaccurately portray arthritis as an old person’s disease, arthritis is a multigenerational disease that has become one of the country’s most pressing health problems;

Arthritis has a significant impact on quality of life for the individual experiencing the painful symptoms and for the family members and caregivers providing for that individual;

The economic and social costs associated with treating arthritis and the complications of arthritis are estimated at almost $80,000,000,000 annually;

Currently, the challenge exists to ensure delivery of effective, but often underutilized, interventions that are necessary in the prevention or reduction of arthritis-related pain and disability;

The large quantity of public information and programs about arthritis remain inadequately disseminated and are insufficient in addressing the needs of specific diverse populations and other underserved groups;

The Arthritis Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials have led the development of a public health strategy, the National Arthritis Action Plan, to ensure the delivery of effective, but often underutilized interventions that are necessary in the prevention or reduction of arthritis-related pain and disability; and

Educating the public and health care community throughout the State about arthritis is of paramount importance and is in every respect in the public interest and to the benefit of all residents of the State.

Create and foster a statewide program that promotes public awareness and increases knowledge about the causes of arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, effective prevention strategies, and pain prevention and management;

Enhance understanding of arthritis by disseminating to patients, health professionals, and the public:

Establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention of arthritis and related disability through surveillance, epidemiology, and prevention research;

Utilize educational and training resources and services developed by organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of arthritis and use available technical assistance;

Evaluate the need for improving the quality and accessibility of existing community-based arthritis services;

Increase awareness about the prevention, detection, and treatment of arthritis among State and local health officials, providers, professionals, and policy makers;

Implement and coordinate State and local programs and services to reduce the public health burden of arthritis; and

Improve the quality of life and contain health care costs for individuals with arthritis and their families.

Provide sufficient staff to implement the Program;

Provide appropriate training for staff of the Program;

Identify the appropriate organizations to carry out the Program;

Base the Program on the most current scientific information and findings;

Work to increase and improve community–based services available to people with arthritis and their family members;

Work with governmental offices, national voluntary health organizations and their local chapters, community and business leaders, community organizations, and health care and human service providers to coordinate efforts and maximize State resources in the areas of prevention, education, detection, pain management, and treatment of arthritis; and

Identify and, when appropriate, use evidence–based arthritis programs and obtain related materials and services from organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of arthritis.