Technical assistance and free educational and promotional resources to all county health departments. Developmentof a statewide arthritis steering committee and partnership to develop and implement efforts to increase mobility, and self-management behaviors, improve quality of life, decrease pain and disability, reduce occurrence, impairment, limitations and restrictions due to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Stratigic planning to develop a statewide Arthritis Plan that includes population based strategies, health system approaches, and identifies gaps and health disparities, increases awareness, and addresses resources, services, and support for people living with arthritis. Integration of arthritis into Departmental programs through an Arthritis Internal Advisory Workgroup. Ongoing evaluation of program's effectiveness and quality.
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America.
It limits daily activities for about 7 million people. Arthritis refers to more than 130 different diseases that affect areas around joints, but can also affect other parts of the body. Nearly 3 million Floridians have Arthritis. That is about 1 in every 5 people. Research indicates that regular exercise and weight control can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.