Arthritis Action Plan

VII. Arthritis Prevention and Care in New York State: A Review

  • Myth: People with arthritis shouldn't exercise.
  • Fact: It was thought for many years that if you had arthritis you should not exercise because it would damage your joints. Now research has shown that exercise is an essential tool in managing your arthritis. Regular, moderate exercise offers a whole host of benefits to people with arthritis. Mainly, exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance. It also helps promote overall health and fitness by giving the individual more energy, promoting better sleep, controlling weight, decreasing depression, and enhancing self-esteem. Furthermore, exercise has secondary benefits in preventing other health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

The Arthritis Coalition developed an inventory of strengths and weaknesses in the system of care for individuals with arthritis and related diseases. The following assessment represents their review of current demographic and resource conditions, capacities and gaps evident in the New York State network at the present time.

A. Core Capacities and Resources

1. The Demand for Arthritis Information and Treatment is Changing

  • Advocacy for needed treatment and care is increasing among people with arthritis and related diseases.
  • Arthritis and related diseases will increase as baby boomers age leading to an increase in advocacy for improvements in arthritis care.
  • The work of the NYS Arthritis Coalition is increasingly relevant to larger numbers of people.

2. Public Knowledge of Disease Group

  • Effective self management techniques are known and available to those with the disease.
  • Published arthritis and related disease information materials are available to the public.
  • An increased awareness of disease prevention is present among the general public and people with arthritis.
  • Lifestyle implications due to the disease are better understood.

3. Proven Programs and Interventions

  • There are established education and support groups.
  • here is an increase in the availability of community exercise and/or self-help programs e. g. Arthritis Self Help Course, PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), Arthritis Foundation Aquatics.

4. Medical Support Inventory

  • There are knowledgeable rheumatologists and other health professionals.
  • HMO's encourage exercise programs and self help programs.
  • Experts such as physical therapists, health specialists, orthopedists are accessible for people with arthritis.
  • Managed care products have more opportunities to promote chronic disease programs, case management, education, and other disease management services to their constituents.

5. Patient Education and Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is occurring earlier due to Arthritis Foundation and Lupus organization referrals.
  • Technology and effective patient education is facilitating earlier diagnosis.
  • Technological advances are also improving communications.
  • New medications and procedures for treatment are having positive impact.
  • People are being referred increasingly to proven programs (ASHC).

6. Advocates and Strong Staff

  • There are informed and interested leaders in the Arthritis Coalition.
  • Volunteers and families are dedicated to support fund raising and outreach.
  • Committed, concerned and talented advocates are working in their communities.
  • NYS DOH Arthritis Program is making a difference.
  • Arthritis Foundation and Lupus organizations publish newsletters, create action alerts, and organize advocacy networks.

7. Visible Support

  • CDC financial support established a state arthritis program.
  • Volunteer-based partnerships such as the Arthritis Foundation and Lupus organizations have readily collaborated with the Arthritis Program.
  • Costs of falls and fractures are stimulating legislative action to provide funding.
  • Arthritis and related diseases have become a NYS priority.
  • Many local community grants are awarded to community advocates and organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and lupus organizations.

8. Collaboration

  • There is considerable knowledge and experience in the Arthritis Coalition membership.
  • There is a high level of cooperation and collaboration among The Arthritis Foundation, NYS Lupus organizations, DOH, and NYS Office for Aging.
  • As a result of the partnerships, development of a NYS Arthritis Plan has been fulfilled.
  • The Arthritis Work Group provides for opportunities to formulate new strategies, partnerships and tactics.
  • There is an increase in inter-agency collaborations within NYS; both private and voluntary sectors.

B. Compelling Gaps

Within the coming decade, approximately 70 million baby boomers will explode the need for arthritis therapy and other interventions nationwide.

1. Disease and Population Challenges

  • Arthritis and related disease types are broad and complex.
  • Sustaining a commitment to lifestyle change is complicated.
  • Hidden diseases can mask the scope of the disease challenge.
  • The diverse patient population requires a mixed, sensitive message, which varies depending on the content and venues.
  • Rheumatologists are in short supply in specific areas of NYS -such as the Western and Central NY regions. Some health insurers cannot provide rheumatology services to their membership within a reasonable travel area or timeframe due to this crisis.47
  • Perception that not all health insurers provide, or too infrequently provide, disease management services to their constituents and, of those that do so, it may be later than optimal.

2. Professional/Provider Issues

  • There is documented lack of statewide access to rheumatologists -the severity of this issue is dependent upon the geographic area with a higher severity in Western and Central NY regions.48
  • There is sometimes a lack of communication among agencies, various foundations, and organizations as well as a lack of participation, coordination and cooperation among chronic disease constituencies and other existing collaborative groups.
  • Access to technology is not maximized for communication or self-diagnosis.
  • Within the coming decade, approximately 70 million baby boomers will explode the need for arthritis therapy and other interventions nationwide.
  • There is a perceived lack of available physician time for full patient diagnosis and treatment.
  • There is a lack of appreciation for the seriousness of arthritis and related diseases.
  • There is a lack of data on specific arthritis or related disease types such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
  • Some health professionals are unaware of patient education, programs, and services or have been outside of the "update" reach.

3. Financial Constraints

  • Auto-immune disease research is nascent.
  • Basic research funding for arthritis and particularly related diseases lacks a national mandate.

4. Public Perceptions Require Change

  • Consistent messages are needed that the public finds memorable.
  • There are under served populations, i.e. individuals with developmental disabilities, immigrants and young mothers that are not being reached with the current messages.
  • Messages concerning treatment, nutrition, and safe activities can be confusing.
  • There's a need to eliminate the notion that arthritis is a "normal part of aging".
  • he public's limited knowledge of auto-immune and rheumatic diseases must be addressed by increasing knowledge with accurate information.

Arthritis and related diseases affect 4.7 million persons in the state of New York.

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