Despite advances in medical care, arthritis and related rheumatic conditions often result in chronic pain, activity limitation and reduced quality of life. In comparison to whites, a higher proportion of Hispanics and African Americans report that their activity limitation is attributable to arthritis. Effective self-management interventions exist to address this disparity but they are underutilized. This presentation will describe how the Arthritis Foundation, through its national office and its grass roots network of chapters, has expanded its reach to Spanish-speaking and African Americans with arthritis through successful partnerships with other national service organizations and with community based organizations. Activities include formation of a national coalition to implement a media campaign and local workshops about pain management; delivery of an arthritis self-management course through a church network; and implementation of a Spanish version of an arthritis empowerment program using lay health educators affiliated with a community-based organization. The presentation will also include a discussion of lessons learned in partnership-development and program implementation to address the special needs of these target groups.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1) Describe at least two different successful partnership approaches to reducing pain and disability among Spanish-speaking and African Americans with arthritis; 2) Identify at least two factors that can affect the success of efforts to reach these racial and ethnic groups
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Self-Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Programs developed by Stanford University and disseminated by the Arthritis Foundation will be discussed
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by the Arthritis Foundation.