The leading cause of disability, arthritis affects 43 million Americans at an annual cost of $82.4 billion in medical and social costs. Because it affects so many people with such serious consequences, arthritis presents a dramatic challenge: to merge the classic medical approach addressing the needs of individual patients with a public health approach aiming to identify and ensure the delivery of effective interventions for improving the health of an entire population. Arthritis requires a coordinated public health approach that encompasses whole population groups, with its foundation in the prevention spectrum central to public health measures. In recognition of the seriousness of arthritis as a public health problem, the Arthritis Foundation joined with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP): A Public Health Strategy. The result of collaborative efforts of over 90 organizations, the NAAP establishes a long-term plan to address arthritis. Just as development of the Plan required collaboration among many organizations, its implementation depends upon partnerships as well, including government agencies, health professional associations, voluntary health agencies, provider organizations, employers, academic institutions, and community interest groups. Still, awareness that there are effective strategies to address arthritis remains low among public health professionals. This session will seek to strengthen partnerships between private agencies and the public sector by discussing current partnership activities and opportunities, as well as exploring issues unique to private-public sector relationships.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the learner will be able to: 1. Explain the major components of the National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP): A Public Health Strategy and the framework it provides for collaboration among organizations; 2. Identify characteristics of effective partnerships between private/non-profit organizations and public health agencies. 3. Describe the public health approach to arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the United States; 4. Discuss the application of the principles underlying the NAAP to other chronic diseases.
Keywords: Partnerships, Chronic Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arthritis Foundation (non-profit offering self-management strategies) will be referenced.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employed by the Arthritis Foundation.