Chiropractic physicians in Arkansas are making steady progress into the public arena through participation in formal programs as well as individual activities. Some are direct outgrowths of the profession's historical focus on physical fitness, posture and nutrition. Safety, substance abuse, maternal and child care are areas where "drug-free" intervention, long the purview of chiropractic, may be the treatment of choice. Examples of such programs in which doctors of chiropractic (DCs) participate include the Healthy Hometowns project and the Red Ribbon and Drugs Don't Work campaigns. In addition, significant contributions to rural health and disaster relief services are made by chiropractic physicians, such as DC participation in the Rural Health Forum, Disaster Medical Assistance Team, and Red Cross/ACA disaster relief program. Arkansas DCs also contribute to surveillance efforts through the State Data Collection for healthcare professions. Finally, DCs are involved in health administration through presence on the Arkansas Board of Health and participation in state insurance utilization review. This presentation will review the present and projected areas of chiropractic involvement in Arkansas public health. Support systems, methodology and necessary shift in perspective employed in this achievement will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. describe current areas of chiropractic involvement in public health in Arkansas 2. recognize requirements for increasing chiropractic's integration into public health activities at the state level
Keywords: Chiropractic, Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.