Program Information

	On this page: Arthritis Program Staff Partnerships The CDC Public Health Framework for Arthritis

Welcome to the Arthritis Program at the CDC. The goal of CDC’s Arthritis Program is to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis. CDC and its partners are working to implement recommendations in the National Arthritis Action Plan: A Public Health Strategy* (PDF-394K). This landmark public health plan was developed by CDC, the Arthritis Foundation, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and more than 90 other organizations. It recommends a variety of activities to reduce the pain and disability and improve the quality of life of persons affected by arthritis.

The Arthritis Program is working to:

• Measure the burden of arthritis. At the national level, CDC uses surveys of the National Center for Health Statistics to define the burden of arthritis, monitor trends, and assess how arthritis affects quality of life. At the state level, CDC and states (all 50, D.C., and the 3 territories) use the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to obtain arthritis burden data.
   
• Strengthen the science base. CDC conducts or supports research to define the impact of arthritis in the United States. We also support research to both develop and evaluate interventions to help people with arthritis improve their quality of life.
   
• Increase Awareness. CDC, working with the Arthritis Foundation, states, and other partners is supporting two health communications campaigns promoting physical activity among people with arthritis: Physical Activity. The Arthritis Pain Reliever for English speaking audiences, and Buenos Días, Artritis. a campaign for Hispanic audiences.
   
• Build State Arthritis Programs. State Health Departments, with CDC support, are working to strengthen partnerships, increase public awareness and expand the reach of interventions that have been proven to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.

Arthritis Program Staff

The Arthritis Program has a staff with expertise in behavioral science, epidemiology, health communication, health education, and project management. Currently, there are 14 full-time staff devoting their efforts to the Arthritis Program at the CDC. Program staff are involved in providing technical assistance for research and programmatic efforts, collaborating with state programs, and analyzing data and producing scientific reports.

Partnerships

Addressing the burden of arthritis requires coordinated and collaborative efforts among many organizations, such as governmental and public health agencies, private organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the Lupus Foundation of America, aging agencies, health systems, and others. These types of alliances help to assure the needed comprehensive approach to arthritis.

Find out more about our arthritis program partners.

The CDC Public Health Framework for Arthritis

Target Population: Persons affected by arthritis.

Overall Program Goal: Improve the quality of life among people affected by arthritis.

Short-Term Goals

• Improve/increase self-management attitudes and behaviors among persons with arthritis.
• Increase early diagnosis and appropriate management.

Long-Term Goals

• Decrease pain and disability among persons with arthritis.
• Improve physical, psychosocial, and work function among persons with arthritis.

The first-ever National Objectives for Arthritis are articulated in the Healthy People 2010 report. Read these objectives (PDF–1.3Mb). More information is available on Healthy People 2010.

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