Virginia Arthritis Initiative

In 2000 the Virginia Arthritis Initiative (VAI) was created by the Virginia Department of Health to reduce the increasing burden of Arthritis in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VAI is administered by the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Chronic Disease and Prevention and Control.

The Mission

The mission of the Virginia Arthritis Initiative is to "Eliminate preventable arthritis and improve the quality of life of Virginians affected by arthritis and rheumatic conditions by increasing awareness and providing support through Public Health."

 

We are working to expand and improve services in the following areas:

• Raise awareness about arthritis, its risk factors, prevention, importance of early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and self-management.
• Foster partnerships and collaborative relationships with individuals, organizations and systems that contribute to reducing the burden of arthritis in Virginia.
• Collaborate and give support to arthritis taskforces throughout Virginia, including the Virginia Arthritis Task Force.

The goals of the Virginia Arthritis Initiative are to raise awareness of the impact of arthritis as a public health issue, to encourage the delivery of effective interventions to those at greatest risk of arthritis and its complications, to decrease the burden of arthritis in Virginia by encouraging early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis symptoms, and improve the quality of life of people with or at risk of arthritis.

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