CDC-Funded State Arthritis Programs
The CDC Arthritis Program funds 13 state programs through the DP18-1803, State Public Health Approaches to Addressing Arthritis, cooperative agreement. The aim of these state arthritis programs is to improve arthritis management and the quality of life of people with arthritis through four strategies.
CDC's Arthritis Program funds 13 state programs: Arkansas, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
State arthritis programs use CDC funding to:
- Expand the availability and accessibility of arthritis appropriate, evidence-based interventions (AAEBIs), also known as lifestyle management programs, focusing on self-management education or physical activity.
- Increase health care providers’ patient counseling about the benefits of physical activity for reducing arthritis pain and limitations; and increase provider referrals of patients with arthritis to evidence-based lifestyle management programs.
- Promote walking as a way to manage arthritis symptoms.
- Raise awareness of the burden of arthritis and ways to manage it.
The DP18-1803 cooperative agreement is a 5-year funding opportunity that began on July 1, 2018, and ends June 30, 2023. It gives states an average funding of $289,000 each annually and builds on lessons from previous cooperative agreements. The funding opportunity emphasizes making lifestyle management programs available through large access networks and existing systems to help expand the access and use of them. You can learn about each state program below.
CDC-Funded State Arthritis Programs
The Arkansas Arthritis Program (AAP) works to expand the proven Walk With Ease program and promote walking as a way to manage arthritis symptoms. AAP offers physical activity lifestyle management programs. They also aim to encourage health care providers to counsel and refer patients with arthritis to evidence-based lifestyle management programs. Through partnerships with the University of Arkansas’ Doctor of Physical Therapy and other medical professional training programs, AAP hopes to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis, focusing on African Americans, women, and people living in rural areas.
AAEBIs Offered
- Walk With Ease group
- Walk With Ease self-directed
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Diabetes Prevention Program
Key Partners
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Arkansas Arthritis Foundation
- ADH Local Health Units
- Arkansas Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Centers on Aging and Doctor of Physical Therapy program
- Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care
- Arkansas Disability and Health Program
- Arkansas Minority Health Commission
- Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC)
- Arkansas Chronic Disease Coordinating Council
- Hark
- Mercy Northwest Arkansas
Contact Information
Becky Adams, DrPH, RDN, CDE
Partnership and Policy Support Director
Arkansas Department of Public Health
4815 W. Markham Street, slot #6
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
501-661-2334 │ becky.adams2@arkansas.gov
The Kansas Arthritis Program (KAP) aims to increase the delivery of evidence-based lifestyle management programs throughout the state. KAP offers both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. They also promote referral to these programs by health care providers by working with several statewide partners. They are working to expand availability of lifestyle management programs throughout Kansas, focusing on rural and underserved parts of the state.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Enhance®Fitness
- Walk With Ease group
- Better Choices, Better Health
Key Partners
- Kansas Foundation for Medical Care
- Kansas Alliance of YMCAs
- Kansas Healthcare Collaborative
- Kansas Recreation and Parks Association
- Kansas State Research and Extension
- Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging
- The Chronic Disease Alliance of Kansas
- Humana
Contact Information
Holly Frye
Arthritis Health Educator
Kansas Department of Public Health
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-1627 |
holly.frye@ks.gov
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley (ESMV), through its Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HLCE), works to improve arthritis self-management and improve outcomes for people living with arthritis in all of Massachusetts. ESMV and HLCE offer both evidence-based physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. They work with several organizations to increase the availability of these proven programs. ESMV also aims to increase healthcare provider referrals to lifestyle management programs and the promotion of walking to manage arthritis. The agency is working with health care plans to cover the cost of member participation in lifestyle management programs.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Better Choices, Better Health®
- Enhance®Fitness
- Fit & Strong!
- Walk with Ease group
- Walk With Ease self-directed
Key Partners
- MA Department of Public Health
- The Executive Office of Elder Affairs
- The Massachusetts Alliance of YMCAs
- Community-Based Organizations
Contact Information
Jennifer R. Raymond
Chief Strategy Officer
Healthy Living Center of Excellence, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley
280 Merrimack Street, Suite 400
Lawrence, MA 01843-1740
978-946-1298 | jraymond@esmv.org
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) uses partnerships across the state to improve self-management of arthritis by offering evidence-based self-management education workshops to all Minnesotans with arthritis, with a focus on underserved populations. They work to improve on their existing statewide infrastructure for arthritis support and make lifestyle management programs more accessible.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Diabetes Prevention Program
Key Partners
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Allina Health
- The Minnesota Alliance of YMCAs
- Fairview Clinics
- State Employee Group Insurance Program
Contact Information
Donald Bishop, PhD
Chief, Center for Health Promotion
Minnesota Department of Health
625 Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
651-201-5402 | don.bishop@state.mn.us
The Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program (MAOP) focuses on the support and expansion of evidence-based lifestyle management programs to help improve the health and quality of life of adults with arthritis. MAOP offers proven physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. They also work in partnership with several other organizations to help bring these lifestyle management programs to underserved and rural areas. MAOP also aims to increase counseling and referrals to lifestyle management programs by health care providers.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Walk With Ease group
- Walk With Ease self-directed
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Diabetes Self-Management Program
Key Partners
- University of Missouri Extension
- Missouri County Health Department
- Regional Arthritis Centers
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Missouri Primary Care Association (FWHCs)
- PRIMARIS
- Humana
- Health care organizations
Contact Information
Beth Richards
Director, Missouri Arthritis & Osteoporosis Program
Missouri Arthritis Program Director
University of Missouri, Columbia
1205 University Avenue; Suite 1100
Columbia, MO 65211
573.884.1220 | richardsjo@missouri.edu
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Chronic Disease Section (CDS), aims to increase access to the proven physical activity program, Walk with Ease, throughout the state. CDS works to increase provider referrals to National Diabetes Prevention Programs and the Walk with Ease programs. The agency also promotes walking and physical activity as ways to manage chronic diseases.
AAEBIs Offered
- Walk With Ease group
- Walk With Ease self-directed
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- National Diabetes Prevention Program
- Walk With Ease worksite
Key Partners
- University of New Hampshire Extension
- The New Hampshire Alliance of YMCAs
- Wellness Coordinator Council of New Hampshire
- The New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services
Contact Information
Scot Foster
Program Coordinator
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Chronic Disease Section
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301-6510
603-271-4628 | scot.foster@dhhs.nh.gov
The New York State Arthritis Program (NYS AP) aims to improve the health and quality of life of New Yorkers who have arthritis. The NYS AP offers both physical activity and self-management education workshops. They also work to increase participation in these evidence-based lifestyle management programs by creating a better counseling and referral process for health care providers and by raising awareness of the burden of arthritis to support the goal of increasing the number of adults with arthritis who are physically active.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Enhance®Fitness
- Tomando Control de su Salud
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Diabetes Prevention Program
Key Partners
- Alliance of New York State YMCAs
- HealtheConnections
- New York State Office for the Aging
- Independent Living Centers
Contact Information
Nancy Katagiri, MPH, CPH
Arthritis Program Manager
New York State Department of Health
150 Broadway, Suite 350
Albany, NY 12204-2719
518-408-5142 | nancy.katagiri@health.ny.gov
The North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness (NCCHW) at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville works with partners to build referral systems for health care providers and community-based organizations to engage patients in evidence-based lifestyle management programs and/or to join walking initiatives. NCCHW supports both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. They also aim to provide education and training, increase the availability of lifestyle management programs in North Carolina, and raise awareness of arthritis in the state.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Tomando Control de Su Salud
- Walk With Ease group
- Enhance®Fitness
Key Partners
- North Carolina Office of State Human Resources’ Miles for Wellness Walking Challenge
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Healthcare System Partners
- NC Division of Public Health
- NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
Contact Information
Nicolle Miller, MS, MPH, RD, LDN
Director of State and Community Collaborations
NCCHW at UNC Asheville
448 Sherrill Center, CPO #4010
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8511
828-258-7711 | nmiller2@unca.edu
The Oregon Arthritis Program (OAP) implements programs to increase self-management behaviors and improve the quality of life of people with arthritis by increasing the awareness, availability, and accessibility of evidence-based lifestyle management programs. They offer both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. OAP uses several approaches to reach this goal including media campaigns, environmental strategies to increase walkability, and the development of referral and reimbursement systems. They hope these strategies will make lifestyle management programs available to all Oregonians with arthritis and address health disparities in rural areas and with Medicaid enrollees.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Walk with Ease group
- Walk with Ease self-directed
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
Key Partners
- Oregon State University Extension Services
- Local County Health Departments
- Oregon Physical Therapy Association
- Oregon State Pharmacy Association
- Oregon Recreation and Parks Association
- Oregon Alliance of YMCAs
- State Unit on Aging
- Oregon Office on Disability and Health
Contact Information
J. Hildegard Hinkel, MPH
Program Analyst & Community Programs Liaison
Oregon Health Authority
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 730
Portland, OR 97232
971-673-3182 | janet.h.hinkel@state.or.us
The Rhode Island Arthritis Program (RIAP) works to increase self-management of arthritis and improve the quality of life for adults with arthritis by offering several lifestyle management programs. RIAP offers both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. The program aims to adopt a systems-based approach to counseling for health care providers that promotes walking and self-management. They also incorporate their Community Health Network, a centralized referral system, to make evidence-based lifestyle management programs available to all people in Rhode Island.
AAEBIs Offered
- Walk With Ease group
- Walk With Ease self-directed
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Tomando Control de su Salud
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
- Diabetes Prevention Program
- Diabetes Self-Management Program
Key Partners
- RI Chronic Care Collaborative
- Community Health Network
- Own Your Health
- Federal Hill House
- Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center
- Rhode Island Parent Information Network
- Chronic Disease Collaborative
Contact Information
Jasmine Franco
Program Manager
Rhode Island Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-4520 | Jasmine.Franco@health.ri.gov
The Utah Arthritis Program (UAP) works to improve the quality of life of people living with arthritis. They offer both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. UAP aims to strengthen the sustainability of their existing lifestyle management programs by encouraging health care providers to recommend these programs to their patients and counsel patients on self-management. They also manage a database through Living Well Utah where adults can sign up for lifestyle management programs.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Tomando Control de Su Salud
- Walk With Ease group
- Enhance®Fitness
- Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
Key Partners
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
- University of Utah Community Clinics
- University of Utah School of Medicine
- Health Care Organizations
- Local Health Departments
- Community-Based Organizations
Contact Information
Nichole Shepard, MPH, EP-C
Arthritis Program Manager
Utah Department of Health
PO Box 142107
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
801-538-6259 | nshepard@utah.gov
The Virginia Arthritis Program (VAP) aims to expand the delivery of evidence-based lifestyle management programs and increase opportunities for walking throughout the state. VAP offers both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. Also, they promote the use of a statewide, electronic health network tool called “No Wrong Door” and the “Arthritis Resource Finder” program locator to increase provider counseling and referral of patients to programs. VAP is also educating providers to better equip them with the skills to identify and treat arthritis. VAP also engages health care and service providers as members of the Virginia Arthritis Advisory Council and Virginia Arthritis Coalition to coordinate education, programs, and health care services for adults with arthritis.
AAEBIs Offered
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Walk With Ease group
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- A Matter of Balance
Key Partners
- Aetna
- Arthritis Foundation
- Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Health Quality Innovators
- Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- Virginia Community Healthcare Association
- Virginia Recreation and Parks Society
- Virginia Rheumatology Society
- State Healthcare Systems
- Local Health Districts
Contact Information
Melicent R. Miller, MSPH
Healthy Communities Supervisor
Virginia Department of Public Health
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23291-3623
804-864-7887 | melicent.miller@vdh.virginia.gov
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) hosts a statewide arthritis program that offers both physical activity programs and self-management education workshops. They aim to increase health care provider referrals to evidence-based lifestyle management programs through partnerships with Area Agencies on Aging. They also work with partners to provide services to Native American and Latino populations with culturally specific programs.
AAEBIs Offered
- Enhance®Fitness
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Tomando Control de su Salud
Other Self-Management Interventions Offered
- Wisdom Warriors
Key Partners
- Area Agencies on Aging
- Living Well With Chronic Conditions
- Tribal Organizations
- Community Health Worker system
Contact Information
Amy Ellings
Program Manager
Washington State Department of Health
319 Israel RD SE
Tumwater, WA 98501-7848
360-236-3754 | amy.ellings@doh.was.gov