Virginia Arthritis Project

National Objectives FY 2004-2008

• Increase public awareness as arthritis being the leading cause of disability and an important public health problem.
• Prevent Arthritis whenever possible.
• Promote early diagnosis and appropriate management for people with arthritis to ensure the maximum number of years of healthy living.
• Support people with arthritis in developing and accessing the resources they need to cope with their disease.
• Ensure that people with arthritis receive the family, peer, and community support that they need.

Community Arthritis Projects

• Virginia Beach Health District
• Lenowisco Health District
• Three Rivers Health District
• Fairfax County Health District

Arthritis At a Glance

• 27% of Virginians have arthritis
• Of those with arthritis, 58% are female and 42% are male
• 66% with arthritis are overweight or obese
• 37% are 45-64 years with arthritis

Virginia Arthritis Project Staff

• (804) 864-7877
• www.vahealth.org/arthritis
• Brunilda A. Caro-Justin, Manager

Community Arthritis Project Staff

• Charlene Learner, Debbie Batatkis, Pat Davidson
• Virginia Beach Health District -- (757)-518-2760
• Heather Horne, Lenowisco Health District -- (276) 328-8000
• Pam Lane, Three Rivers Health District -- (804)-333-4043
• Mary Jo Ivan, Fairfax County Health District -- (703)-246-8631

Project Highlights

Surveillance System

• Published ”Arthritis in Virginia, 2001-03” data report that includes data on prevalence, hospitalizations, complications, costs and mortality.

Health Care Projects

• Working with the Cardiovascular Health Project and the Faith based organizations collaborative.
• Partnered with the Chronic Disease Directors (CDD) Association, serve on the CDD Arthritis Communication and the Policy and Legislation Workgroups, internal health department partners and external key partners to promote awareness about arthritis and increase physical activity.
• Serve on Executive Board of the Virginia Cancer Prevention and Control (CPAC) coalition (50 members). To address the occurrence of arthritis after patients receive chemotherapy and radiology. CPAC is developing a cancer prevention resource guidebook for Virginians and health care providers with a focus on health access.

Community Interventions

• Provide funding, training and technical assistance to four Health Districts arthritis projects that utilize the Public Health Framework for Arthritis model for improving arthritis self-management for persons with arthritis.
• Partnering with the Cardiovascular Health Project in a faith-based initiative to implement environmental and policy changes to reduce CVH and arthritis, and to pilot a arthritis prevention initiative promoting “The Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever” campaign and evidenced based intervention programs.

Health Communications

• The CDC health communication “The Physical Activity: The Arthritis Pain Reliever” campaign materials and media campaign is promoted and distributed statewide through health districts and the Virginia Arthritis Task Force.
• Partnered with other Chronic Disease Prevention Projects in developing the “Chronic Disease Prevention: YOU CAN” media campaign.

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