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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Adult and Community Health
Health Care and Aging Studies Branch
Arthritis Program
Mailstop K-51
4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
Phone: 770.488.5464
Fax: 770.488.5964
Email Us |
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State Programs
Program Descriptions
South Carolina
South Carolina Arthritis Program
State Burden
In 2004 in arthritis affected about 1.2 million adult South
Carolinians—approximately 30% of adults living in the state have some
form of arthritis. Groups in South Carolina most at risk for arthritis
are women, older adults, and individuals with low-education levels. The
prevalence of arthritis increases from 13.3% among people in the 18–44
age group to 41.7% among people in the 45–64 age group. The 65 and older
age group has the highest prevalence at 56.9%. Arthritis affects all
race and ethnic groups. Females are more likely to have this condition.
In South Carolina, 33.4% of females have arthritis, compared with 25.6%
of males. People living in rural counties have a higher prevalence of
arthritis than those who live in urban counties (34.8% versus 27.7%).
South Carolina Arthritis Advisory Council
The South Carolina Arthritis Advisory Council’s mission is “building
statewide partnerships to reduce the impact of arthritis in South
Carolina.” Its primary functions are to offer guidance and support
toward accomplishment of program goals and to provide leadership for the
future directions of the program. This committed group of partners
includes the Arthritis Foundation Carolinas Chapter, state and private
organizations, health care providers, universities, and consumers. The
full council meets twice a year, with workgroups carrying out activities
throughout the year toward the goal of reducing the burden of arthritis
in South Carolina.
Key Partners
- Arthritis Foundation Carolina’s Chapter
- University of South Carolina
- Clemson University
- Winthrop University
- South Carolina Primary Care Association Community Health Centers
- South Carolina Congregational Nursing Network
- Churches and faith-based organizations
- Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging
- The Aging Network (Area Agencies on Aging and Councils on Aging)
- DHEC Public Health Regions
- YMCAs, wellness centers, and senior centers
Intervention and Partnership Highlights
- The SC Arthritis Program works collaboratively with the Arthritis
Foundation Carolinas to provide “Instructor” and “Train the Trainer”
workshops toward the goal of expanding evidence-based programs for
people with arthritis in South Carolina. The Arthritis Foundation helps
to assess instructor qualifications, monitor fidelity of program
implementation, increase awareness, and build partnerships. The two
organizations are currently working on a grant initiative to expand the
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program in Orangeburg through partnerships
with African American faith-based organizations.
- Advisory Council members from The University of South Carolina School
of Public Health Prevention Research Center, Clemson University, and
Winthrop University played a key role in developing the South Carolina
Plan for Arthritis Action, 2006–2010. They continue to serve in an
advisory capacity to assess progress and make recommendations to move
the program toward its short and long term goals. Their expert
consultation toward building partnerships and expanding programs for
people with arthritis is invaluable.
- The South Carolina Primary Care Association Community Health Centers
are committed to improving the health of South Carolinians by improving
access to health care services. CareSouth Carolina Community Health
Centers in the Pee Dee area are offering the Arthritis Foundation
Exercise Program and the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program as part
of their comprehensive health care services. Other health centers are
planning to offer arthritis programs in the near future. This
partnership has great potential to reach underserved populations
throughout the state.
- The South Carolina Congregational Nursing Network, which serves as a
natural link to the faith community, has been a key source for
increasing the number of instructors for arthritis programs. Six nurses
from the Midlands Partnership for Community Health of the Congregational
Nursing Network have been trained to offer the Arthritis Foundation
Self-Help Program, and six have been trained to offer the Arthritis
Foundation Exercise program. The SC Arthritis Program is working toward
partnering with congregational nurses in other areas of the state, as
well.
- A number of churches offer the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program
and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program. In Columbia and
Orangeburg, church bulletin inserts and presentations have been major
strategies to reach the faith community have been. In 2005, A SENIOR
(State-based Examples of Network Innovation, Opportunity, and
Replication) grant initiative made it possible to reach the two rural
underserved counties of Marion and Bamberg. This project was a
partnership with SC DHEC, the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, the
Arthritis Foundation, the local Aging Network, Clemson University, and
African American faith-based organizations. During the project, seven
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program classes were held with 144
participants attending. Partners in both counties are continuing to
offer the exercise program today.
- DHEC Public Health Regions are a valuable resource for building
capacity in the state. Public health professionals are instructors for
the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, and several are trainers,
who train new instructors. These public health professionals have the
knowledge and experience to reach underserved populations and to build
partnerships in the community that support arthritis programs.
- YMCAs, senior centers, and wellness centers offer the Arthritis
Foundation Aquatic Program and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
in a number of areas of the state. For example, the Capital Senior
Center in Columbia has coordinated with the SC Arthritis Program to
offer programs at its facility, as well as in the community. One of its
recent outreach efforts involves offering the Arthritis Foundation
Exercise Program at a senior housing facility. Through a partnership
with the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center in Columbia, a diverse group of
people is being reached through the Arthritis Foundation Exercise
Program.
Program Documents
The South Carolina State Plan for Arthritis Action and the Burden of
Arthritis in South Carolina report are located on the website.
Contact Information
Cora Plass
Department of Health & Environmental Control
PO Box 101106 (Mills/Jarrett Bldg)
Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Telephone: (803) 898-0760
Fax: (803) 898-0350
E-mail:
plasscf@dhec.sc.gov
Back to Program Descriptions
Page last reviewed: June 15, 2007
Page last modified: July 18, 2007
Content Source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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