Arthritis Action Plan
VI. The NYS Arthritis Program
The NAAP Arthritis Plan Framework
- 1. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Prevention Research;
- 2. Education and Communication; and
- 3. Programs, Policies and Systems.
A. History
The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) Arthritis Program was created when National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP) funds were granted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In September 2001, NYS received a three-year, $120,000 grant for establishing the Arthritis Program. For many years prior to the creation of the Arthritis Program in New York State, the NYS Arthritis Foundation chapters had built a firm foundation of programs and services. The state Arthritis Program is now charged with assisting these NYS chapters and others involved in prevention and treatment of arthritis, to communicate information to the public about arthritis. In addition, the NYS DOH Arthritis Program seeks ways to improve the monitoring of the burden of arthritis in NYS. The state program is encouraged to follow the NAAP framework in how it organizes and carries out its statewide responsibilities.
Since its inception in the fall of 2001, the NYS DOH Arthritis Program has nurtured partnerships and other key alliances with public and private agencies concerned with arthritis and its related diseases. It has coordinated public and professional arthritis awareness activities in collaboration with the five NYS chapters of the National Arthritis Foundation, the Lupus organizations, medical providers, public health officials, people with arthritis, their families and caregivers, and other key partners. Together, these organizations have worked to develop The New York State Arthritis Plan; set of initiatives that will serve as a blueprint for NYS arthritis programming. The Arthritis Program also collaborates with the New York State Office for the Aging and the five New York chapters of the National Arthritis Foundation to bring the Arthritis Self-Help Course (ASHC) to communities across the state.
The NYS DOH Arthritis Program is located in the Center for Community Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Adult Health in the Bureau of Health Risk Reduction. Other chronic disease programs within the Division include Cardiovascular Health, Disability and Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control, and Injury Prevention. The Arthritis Program has formed partnerships with the other chronic disease programs to disseminate positive arthritis messages throughout the State.
B. Partnerships
By creating a network of community organizations and individuals with interest in arthritis, resources can be pooled, consistent messages can be scripted and the full spectrum of the audience needing arthritisrelated messages can be reached.
Partnerships are central to the development and successful implementation of a public health strategy for arthritis as prioritized in the NAAP. Community partnerships create the opportunity to address the burden of arthritis through a variety of settings, thus promoting arthritis awareness for the entire population. This alliance of community partners is informing planning, implementing and evaluating an effective action plan.
A wide diversity of interest and advocacy exists in the NYS Arthritis Program partnership network. Members include representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors of the state.
C. Alliances
- Arthritis Coalition
In September 2000, an Arthritis Coalition was convened to discuss an arthritis plan for NYS and the CDC arthritis grant opportunity. Organizations included the New York State Association of County Health Officials, all five New York State Arthritis Foundation chapters and the newly established NYS Arthritis Program (for a complete listing of the Arthritis Coalition see Appendix A.).
- Arthritis Work Group
As a result of this gathering, the Coalition appointed a smaller Work Group. The purpose of the Arthritis Work Group is to contribute to the development and implementation of The New York State Arthritis Plan. The Work Group:
- reviews surveillance data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) arthritis module;
- identifies gaps in surveillance;
- discusses communication approaches to promote arthritis awareness across the State;
- conducts and incorporate the results of the needs assessments; and
- develops a course of action with specific priorities defined in the Plan.
Based upon the focus areas delineated in the National Arthritis Action Plan(NAAP), the Work Group has divided itself into two subcommittees comprised of Health Communication and Education and Policy and Practice.
