State Burden
In 2007, an estimated 569,000 adult Kansans (27.5% of the population)
reported having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The individuals with the
highest prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis are adults aged 65 years and
older (55%), women (31%), adults with an annual income less than $35,000
(34.0%) and adults who are not college graduates (31%). Individual
adults that are overweight or obese (31%) as well as individuals that
are physically inactive (43%) had a higher prevalence of
doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
The effects of doctor-diagnosed arthritis on an individual are apparent
as 37% of adults with arthritis have activity limitations due to
arthritis or joint symptoms. The prevalence of arthritis and other
chronic diseases are displayed below:
- Of adults with diabetes 52% also have arthritis.
- Of adults with heart disease 58% also have arthritis.
- Of adults with high blood pressure 48% also have arthritis.
- Of adults with high cholesterol 44% also have arthritis.
ACT (Arthritis Community Taskforce)
The members of ACT are dedicated individuals with an interest in
reducing the impact of arthritis for the people of Kansas. The members
represent organizations that work with individuals with arthritis and
individuals that deal with the effects of arthritis on a daily basis.
ACT meets face to face three times a year to increase the awareness of
arthritis, increase the knowledge of and participation in evidence-based
programs, discuss results of the data collection to determine the
impact of arthritis, and develop a policy agenda. ACT accomplishes this
by monitoring progress and updating the state plan “Arthritis in
Kansas”, developing burden reports and fact sheets, sharing successes
and planning for future implementation of the Arthritis Foundation
Exercise and Self-Help Programs, the Chronic Disease Self-Management
Program, EnhanceFitness and the CDC Health Communications campaign
“Physical Activity: the Arthritis Pain Reliever” through system delivery
partners and collaboration with other chronic disease programs.
Key Partners
- Arthritis Foundation, Kansas and Western Missouri/Greater Kansas
City Chapters
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Kansas Department on Aging
- Kansas Physical Therapy Association
- KU School of Medicine—Wichita, Dept. of Preventive Medicine and
Public Health
- Kansas State Extension and Research, Division of Aging
- Wichita State University, Center for Physical Activity and Aging
- Kansas Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
- Kansas Health and Disability Program
- Kansas Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program
Proposed Intervention Activities
The goal over the next four years is to expand participation in the
above mentioned evidence-based programs to at least 21,840 Kansans or 4%
of adults with arthritis in Kansas as required by CDC funding. The Kansas Arthritis Program plans to reach this goal by
implementing the following activities in 2008–2009:
- Partner with the Wichita State University Center for Physical
Activity and Aging and the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
to conduct four Chronic Disease Self-Management Leader Trainings with
classes implemented at the local level.
- Partner with the Arthritis Foundation to conduct three Arthritis
Foundation Self-Help Leader Trainings with classes implemented at
the local level.
- Conduct two “Physical Activity: the Arthritis Pain Reliever”
campaigns with local partners using radio and print media.
- Conduct four to six Arthritis Foundation Exercise program leader
trainings to the Arthritis Foundation network of partners while
establishing relationships with system delivery partners for program
implementation.
- Develop a work site wellness steering committee to address
arthritis relevant issues in worksites with program implementation
to occur in subsequent years.
- Health disparities will be addressed in partnership with the
Quality of Care network of primary care clinic settings to meet the
needs of population subgroups in disease self-management.
- Provide support through workshops and a leader listserv to
trained leaders to nurture the relationship with these valuable
partners in program implementation.
- Address policy related to arthritis relevant issues through
partnerships with established policy workgroups.
- Conduct annual arthritis data collection through the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System to gather enough data to support
regional information.
- Develop and distribute arthritis fact sheets and arthritis
burden report to educate the general public and key stakeholders on
the prevalence and effects of arthritis.
- Conduct an arthritis call back survey to gather additional
information on the challenges and barriers to program implementation
and participation.
Kansas Arthritis Program Web site, 2005 Arthritis Impact Report
Describing the Burden of Arthritis in the State of Kansas and “Arthritis
in Kansas” state plan
available.
Contact Information
Marti Macchi, M.Ed., Director Special Studies
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Office of Health Promotion
Kansas Arthritis Program
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612
Telephone: 785–291–3743
Fax: 785–296–8059
E-mail:
mmacchi@kdhe.state.ks.us
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Kansas