Intervention Programs

The CDC Arthritis Program recommends evidence-based programs that are proven to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis. The programs currently being promoted are –

• Three self-management education programs.
• Five physical activity programs.
• Two health communications campaigns promoting physical activity.

A description of these programs is summarized below along with information about how to locate these programs in your state. Self-management education programs like the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course (AFSHC) and Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSMP) help teach people with arthritis learn techniques to manage arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Research has shown that appropriate physical activity offers substantial benefits to people with arthritis and can decrease arthritis pain and disability. Preliminary studies have shown Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (formerly People with Arthritis Can Exercise or PACE), the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program, EnhanceFitness, Active Living Everyday, and Fit and Strong to be both safe and effective for people with arthritis.

There are currently two physical activity interventions on our “Watch List” for possible recommendation that are pending health outcome data from evaluations underway. The CDC’s Arthritis Program is currently working to identify additional evidence-based interventions that are safe and beneficial for people with arthritis. There is a self-management education and two physical activity interventions with promising preliminary data and that are developing the infrastructure to support wide-spread dissemination.  We consider these interventions to be “Promising Practices”. The list of criteria used to screen each intervention is available. Use of these new programs will be promoted through state arthritis programs and other partners.

A  journal article outlining the CDC Arthritis Program's screening criteria and selection process for recommending interventions for people with arthritis has been published. An overview of each recommended intervention and the implementation details is also included.

Brady TJ,  Jernick SL, Hootman JM, Sniezek JE. Public Health Interventions for Arthritis: Expanding the Toolbox of Evidence-Based Interventions. Journal Of Women’s Health 2009;18(12):1905-1917. abstract