Program Descriptions

South Carolina Arthritis Program

State Burden

In 2004 in arthritis affected about 1.2 million adult South Carolinians—approximately 30% of adults living in the state have some form of arthritis. Groups in South Carolina most at risk for arthritis are women, older adults, and individuals with low-education levels. The prevalence of arthritis increases from 13.3% among people in the 18–44 age group to 41.7% among people in the 45–64 age group. The 65 and older age group has the highest prevalence at 56.9%. Arthritis affects all race and ethnic groups. Females are more likely to have this condition. In South Carolina, 33.4% of females have arthritis, compared with 25.6% of males. People living in rural counties have a higher prevalence of arthritis than those who live in urban counties (34.8% versus 27.7%).

South Carolina Arthritis Advisory Council

The South Carolina Arthritis Advisory Council’s mission is “building statewide partnerships to reduce the impact of arthritis in South Carolina.” Its primary functions are to offer guidance and support toward accomplishment of program goals and to provide leadership for the future directions of the program. This committed group of partners includes the Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter, state and private organizations, health care providers, universities, and consumers. The full council meets twice a year, with workgroups carrying out activities throughout the year toward the goal of reducing the burden of arthritis in South Carolina.

Key Partners

• Arthritis Foundation Carolina’s Chapter
• University of South Carolina
• Clemson University
• Winthrop University
• South Carolina Primary Care Association Community Health Centers
• South Carolina Congregational Nursing Network
• Churches and faith-based organizations
• Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging
• The Aging Network (Area Agencies on Aging and Councils on Aging)
• DHEC Public Health Regions
• YMCAs, wellness centers, and senior centers

Intervention and Partnership Highlights

• The SC Arthritis Program works collaboratively with the Arthritis Foundation Carolinas to provide “Instructor” and “Train the Trainer” workshops toward the goal of expanding evidence-based programs for people with arthritis in South Carolina. The Arthritis Foundation helps to assess instructor qualifications, monitor fidelity of program implementation, increase awareness, and build partnerships. The two organizations are currently working on a grant initiative to expand the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program in Orangeburg through partnerships with African American faith-based organizations.
• Advisory Council members from The University of South Carolina School of Public Health Prevention Research Center, Clemson University, and Winthrop University played a key role in developing the South Carolina Plan for Arthritis Action, 2006–2010. They continue to serve in an advisory capacity to assess progress and make recommendations to move the program toward its short and long term goals. Their expert consultation toward building partnerships and expanding programs for people with arthritis is invaluable.
• The South Carolina Primary Care Association Community Health Centers are committed to improving the health of South Carolinians by improving access to health care services. CareSouth Carolina Community Health Centers in the Pee Dee area are offering the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program as part of their comprehensive health care services. Other health centers are planning to offer arthritis programs in the near future. This partnership has great potential to reach underserved populations throughout the state.
• The South Carolina Congregational Nursing Network, which serves as a natural link to the faith community, has been a key source for increasing the number of instructors for arthritis programs. Six nurses from the Midlands Partnership for Community Health of the Congregational Nursing Network have been trained to offer the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, and six have been trained to offer the Arthritis Foundation Exercise program. The SC Arthritis Program is working toward partnering with congregational nurses in other areas of the state, as well.
• A number of churches offer the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program. In Columbia and Orangeburg, church bulletin inserts and presentations have been major strategies to reach the faith community have been. In 2005, A SENIOR (State-based Examples of Network Innovation, Opportunity, and Replication) grant initiative made it possible to reach the two rural underserved counties of Marion and Bamberg. This project was a partnership with SC DHEC, the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, the Arthritis Foundation, the local Aging Network, Clemson University, and African American faith-based organizations. During the project, seven Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program classes were held with 144 participants attending. Partners in both counties are continuing to offer the exercise program today.
• DHEC Public Health Regions are a valuable resource for building capacity in the state. Public health professionals are instructors for the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, and several are trainers, who train new instructors. These public health professionals have the knowledge and experience to reach underserved populations and to build partnerships in the community that support arthritis programs.
• YMCAs, senior centers, and wellness centers offer the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program in a number of areas of the state. For example, the Capital Senior Center in Columbia has coordinated with the SC Arthritis Program to offer programs at its facility, as well as in the community. One of its recent outreach efforts involves offering the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at a senior housing facility. Through a partnership with the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center in Columbia, a diverse group of people is being reached through the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program.

Program Documents

The South Carolina State Plan for Arthritis Action and the Burden of Arthritis in South Carolina report are located on the website.

• South Carolina Arthritis Program Web site

Contact Information

Stacia Bell
Arthritis Program Coordinator
Department of Health & Environmental Control
1751 Calhoun Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Telephone: (803) 898-9578
Fax:(803) 898-0350
E-mail: bellsl@dhec.sc.gov

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