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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Victoria M. Rizzo, MSW, PhD, School of Social Work, Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Mail code 4600, New York, NY 10027-5997, 518-852-6414, vr2178@columbia.edu, Helen Levine, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Arthritis Foundation, New York Chapter, 122 East 42 Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, Michele Disken, Assistant Director of Medical Affairs, Arthritis Foundation, New York Chapter, 122 East 42 Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, and Tamara L. Smith, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, Richardson Hall, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12222.

In May 2002, the New York State (NYS) Legislature awarded the NYS Chapters of the Arthritis Foundation $250,000 for one year to: 1) build the capacity to offer more disease management courses and 2) evaluate the capacity-building efforts of the chapters as well as the effects of participation in evidence-based disease management and exercise programs. In 2005 and 2006, the NYS Legislature provided funds ($450,000 over two years) for the continuation of this initiative. Since the inception of this initiative, the NYS Chapters have: (1) Certified 11 master trainers to conduct leader trainings for arthritis disease management and exercise programs; (2) Trained 634 new course instructors to conduct arthritis disease management and exercise programs; (3) Conducted 354 new courses in 132 sites throughout NYS, reaching more than 6,000 individuals. Courses offered included: the Arthritis Self-Help Course, People with Arthritis Can Exercise, Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program, Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program, and PACEActive pilot program.

The 2002 evaluation of this initiative, using a pre-/post-test design revealed statistically significant benefits for individuals, including activities of daily living, changes in arthritis symptoms, general arthritis knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about exercise and the ability to self manage arthritis symptoms, and level of depression among participants. Analyses of the 2005 evaluation data from a sample of 600 evaluation participants revealed similar results. The specific aims are to report the results of the second year of the initiative and provide participants with specific strategies that made this initiative successful for replication purposes in their communities.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. As a result of this session, participants will be able to identify the benefits that participants experience as a result of participation in evidence-based Arthritis self-help programs.
• 2. As a result of this session, participants will be able to identify the roles that public health social workers can play in helping their communities integrate cost effective, evidence-based prevention programs into the community organizations that serve individuals with chronic diseases.
• 3. As a result of this session, participants will acquire the knowledge necessary to build capacity for the development and implementation of evidence-based disease management programs in their local communities.

Keywords: Disease Management, Evidence Based Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation