Title: Partnerships to Reduce the Burden of Arthritis: The Arthritis Foundation
1Partnerships to Reduce the Burdenof Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation
- Lisa M. Carlson, MPH, CHES
- Vice President, Population Health
- Arthritis Foundation
National Conference on Health Education and
Health Promotion and the American Association for
Health Education Summer Institute June 3,
1999 Washington, D.C.
2Our Mission
- The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to
support research to find the cure for and
prevention of arthritis and to improve the
quality of life for those affected by arthritis.
3Role of the Arthritis Foundation
- The Arthritis Foundation strives to strengthen
outreach and referral, increase awareness of the
impact of arthritis and the services of the
Arthritis Foundation, and help people make good
health decisions through advocacy, support,
education and self-management opportunities.
4Organizational Strengths
- The only national, voluntary health organization
working for all people affected by any of the 100
forms of arthritis - More than 50 years of experience advocating for
and addressing the needs of people with arthritis
5National Resources
- Nationwide network of 150 chapters and branches
- Volunteer workforce of 400,000
- Membership base of 500,000
- Web site www.arthritis.org
- 80 pamphlets, books and videotapes
- 800 that receives more than 250,000 calls
annually - More than 150 million media impressions each year
6Chapter Core Competencies
- Professional education (MDs, RNs)
- Public education and outreach (community, clinic
settings) - Advocacy
- Patient services (referral by health care
provider)
7Continuum of Educational Activities
Awareness Increased Knowledge Changed
Behavior
Participation in group programs
Occurs in program
Education
8Arthritis Foundation Programs
- EDUCATION
- (to build awareness)
-
- 1-H our educational programs
- Lunch Learns
- Press releases
- Marketing
9Arthritis Foundation Programs
- SELF-MANAGEMENT
-
- Arthritis Self-Help Course
- Lupus Self-Help Course
- Fibromyalgia Self-Help Course
- Bone Up on Arthritis
- Support groups
- PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- Arthritis Foundation YMCA Aquatics Program
- PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise)
- Joint Efforts
- Walk with Ease
(to develop increased knowledge and changed
behavior)
10Partnering Organizations
- Public Health
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- Legislation promoting arthritis education and
programs - Pharmaceutical companies
- Professional associations
- medical practitioners
- hospitals and other care facilities
- Managed care
11Public Health Partnerships
- Osteoporosis Initiatives in New Jersey
- Objectives
- improve quality of life for people with
osteoporosis through peer support groups - train support group facilitators
- provide public forums, Speakers Bureau programs
on osteoporosis
12Public Health Partnerships
- Partners -- Advisory Council
- American Association of Retired Persons
- Older Womens League
- NJ Osteoporosis Self-Help Organization
- NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
- Successes
- support groups underway
- Speakers Bureau presentations scheduled
- Public Forums sites and speakers identified
13Managed Care Partnerships
- New York Chapter and Group Health Incorporated
(GHI) - GHI sponsored the Arthritis Foundation Arthritis
Self-Help Course (ASHC) - 18 courses offered to GHI subscribers to learn
self-care techniques, pain management, and coping
strategies
14Managed Care Partnerships
- Maryland Chapter and CareFirst Blue Cross Blue
Shield - Chapter staff trained CareFirst health educators
about arthritis - CareFirst newsletter ran information about
foundation services - Chapter staff arranged presenters for arthritis
education videos for CareFirsts Health Today
cable TV program
15Addressing Diverse Populations
- Southern California Chapter Spanish Arthritis
Empowerment Program - Community-based program taught in Spanish by lay
health educators - Program developed by chapter, Stanford
University, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
Foundation - Program focuses on empowering participants to
gain control of their arthritis
16Addressing Womens Health
- Arthritis Foundation and Older Womens League
(OWL) - Foundation developing quality of life arthritis
education program Women Over 40
Arthritis - OWL to facilitate public education seminars,
including health care professionals speaking
about arthritis
17Building Partnerships
- No single organization can effectively address
the burden of arthritis alone.
18To get involved
- Contact your local
- Arthritis Foundation chapter
- 1.800.283.7800
- www.arthritis.org