Arthritis is an umbrella term that encompasses more than 120 different diseases. The term arthritis means joint inflammation caused by tissue injury or disease in the joint. However, arthritis is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms. Arthritis and rheumatic conditions affect joints, surrounding tissues and/or connective tissues and other parts of the body as well.
Nearly 70 million Americans have arthritis. In Virginia 27 percent-or one of every four adults-has doctor-diagnosed arthritis (1,495,000 Virginians).Another 554,000 experience chronic joint symptoms but don't have a doctor's diagnosis of arthritis yet are considered as possible arthritis sufferers.
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in people ages 15 and older, and the leading cause of disability in the working age population. Although the risk for arthritis increases with age, it's not just an older person's disease. Nearly three out of five are under the age of 65. Children get arthritis, too.
The Virginia Arthritis Program (VAP), one component of the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control wants to:
Programs and Education
The VAP initiates and maintains activities that are recommended in the state Action Plan that are consistent with the Public Health Framework for Arthritis. The VAP continues to collaborate and promote the Arthritis Foundation intervention programs, promotes arthritis management through the arthritis self-management courses and provides scholarships for our target audience and supports training for additional instructors. The Virginia Arthritis Initiative supports the Community Arthritis Programs (CAPs); that represents four out of the seven health regions in the state. The CAPs have established community-based arthritis focused task forces in their areas to promote physical activities, prevention programs and educational materials for people who have arthritis.
Surveillance Activities
The VAP continues to monitor the burden of arthritis in Virginia using primarily BRFSS. The VAP BRFSS arthritis module has been expanded with four additional questions dealing with quality of life issues. The core questions and the module are being used to determine arthritis prevalence in the state as well as examine some of the physical, psychological and social effects of arthritis on Virginians.
The State Coalition
In addition to program work, the Virginia Arthritis Action Coalition (VAAC) was established in 2000 and membership has been expanded to include both traditional and (health systems, health educators, public health) and non-traditional (faith-based, insurance, community centers) and people with arthritis as members. Membership now covers all areas of the state and many segments of the diverse population especially including both rural and urban regions. Extending the diversity of the VAAC membership has been due in part to rotating the quarterly meetings throughout the state. The aim is to strengthen alliances and provide education and outreach activities among arthritis stakeholders.
Division of Chronic Disease Prevention Control
109 Governor St, DCDPC 10th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 864-7877 Fax Phone: (804) 864-7880
