Arthritis Action Plan
VIII. Plan Framework
The Public Health Framework developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for state arthritis program interventions encourages public health approaches that complement traditional medical treatment, with an emphasis on prevention. Prevention strategies for arthritis can be primary with weight control and injury prevention, secondary through early medical diagnosis, reasonable access to rheumatologists, and appropriate management, or tertiary through promoting self-management to reduce pain, limit activity and moderate complications. The published Framework for state programs addresses the following components:
- Target Population: Persons affected by arthritis
- Arthritis Definition: Diagnosis of arthritis, exhibiting symptoms of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms
- Overall Program Goal: To increase the quality of life among persons with arthritis
- Immediate Effects should include an increase in:
- awareness of the signs, symptoms, and management options of arthritis;
- awareness of the need for early diagnosis and appropriate management;
- use of self management as part of routine medical care for arthritis;
- physical activity and weight control for persons with arthritis;
- participation in self management programs among persons with arthritis.
- Short Term Goals:
- increase early diagnosis and appropriate management;
- improve self management attitudes and behaviors among persons with arthritis.
- Long Term Goals:
- reduce pain and disability among persons with arthritis;
- improve physical, psychosocial and work function for persons with arthritis;
- establish or increase reasonable access to health care specialists in the field of rheumatology.
- encourage the recruitment of medical students into the field of rheumatology.
Many persons with arthritis express a sense of helplessness over their disease. A common refrain heard often is "I can't do anything about it anyway." This is simply not true.
