Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in New York State (NYS) and affects the quality of life for approximately 32% (4.7 million) of adult, non-institutionalized New Yorkers.  It is particularly prevalent among the elderly, affecting about 59% (1.5 million) of those aged 65 and up.   Currently, adults with an arthritis-related activity limitation in NYS number around 1.41 million.

 In 2001, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) was awarded a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a state level arthritis program. The program is based upon the framework in the National Arthritis Action Plan (NAAP), which has three major public health focal areas – surveillance, epidemiology, and prevention research; communication and education; and programs, policies, and systems.

Working in partnership with the four New York Arthritis Foundation chapters, the New York State Office for the Aging, and other organizations, the New York State Arthritis Program incorporates arthritis messages into chronic disease prevention, health promotion and education. The program promotes effective interventions to manage the disease to reduce the limitations of activities experienced by those living with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Importantly, the program targets proven interventions into underserved areas of New York State.

The NYSDOH Arthritis Program is collaborating with the Arthritis Foundation chapters and various community partners to offer the Arthritis Self Help Course (ASHC) and land and water -based exercise courses designed for persons with arthritis.  ASHC is a six- week course for people with arthritis and is intended to help them to better manage their arthritis. The course provides instruction in self-help principles, the disease process, exercise and fitness, pain management and relaxation, dealing with depression and fatigue, communicating with physicians, medications and non-traditional treatments. ASHC is proven to decrease the pain associated with arthritis and the number of arthritis-related physician visits by 20% and 40%, respectively.

The land-based course, or PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), is an exercise program designed specifically for people with arthritis and related conditions that uses gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion and to help maintain muscle strength. PACE classes are conducted by specially trained instructors and are available to participants in the standing and seated positions. Hour-long classes are usually held one to three times per week for a series of eight weeks.

The YMCA and the Arthritis Foundation developed the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP), a water exercise program designed for people with arthritis and related conditions such as fibromyalgia and lupus. Water exercise is especially good for people with arthritis, because it allows people to exercise without putting excess strain on your joints and muscles. The AFAP gives people the opportunity to do gentle activities in warm water, with guidance from a trained instructor. Although it is a non-clinical program (one that will not replace a prescribed regimen of therapeutic exercise), past participants have enjoyed some physical benefits such as decreased pain and stiffness.

In November of 2003, the Arthritis Program released the New York State Arthritis Plan.  The plan addresses the strengths, challenges, and existing capacities of reducing the burden of arthritis and rheumatic disease.  The plan provides a comprehensive framework for addressing arthritis in New York State.

For more information about the NYSDOH Arthritis Program, proven arthritis interventions, and/ or copies of the state arthritis plan, please contact:

Mari T. Brick
Arthritis Program Manager