Arthritis help and Intervention Programs

The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion conducts Arthritis Self-Management Education courses and Physical Activity Programs to assist people suffering from Arthritis conditions, and health communications campaigns promoting physical activity.

Self-Management Education

Self-management education programs like the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course (AFSHC) and Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) teach people with arthritis how to manage arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Research has shown that appropriate physical activity offers substantial benefits to people with arthritis and can decrease arthritis pain and disability. Preliminary studies have shown Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program to be both safe and effective for people with arthritis.

Self-Help Course

Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course (AFSHC) is an effective self-management education intervention for people with arthritis. The 6-week course consists of weekly 2-hour sessions guided by two trained instructors who follow a detailed protocol.

Self-Management Program

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is an effective program for people with chronic health problems. The program specifically addresses arthritis, diabetes, lung and heart disease, but teaches skills useful for managing a variety of chronic diseases. This program was developed at Stanford University. CDSMP workshops are given two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in community settings.

Physical Activity Programs

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) is a community-based recreational exercise program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Trained AEFP instructors cover a variety of range-of-motion and endurance-building activities, relaxation techniques, and health education topics.

Aquatic Program

The rthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) is a water exercise program created for people with arthritis and related conditions. The classes are conducted by a trained instructor and are designed to improve flexibility, joint range of motion, endurance, strength, and daily function and to decrease pain. The aquatics classes include joint range of motion, stretching, breathing, and light aerobic activities. Find out about availability in your area Here

EnhanceFitness (EF) EnhanceFitness is an evidence-based, community-delivered exercise program proven to increase strength, boost activity levels and elevate mood. Certified EF instructors offer a program that focuses on stretching, flexibility, balance, low impact aerobics, and strength training exercises. Find out about availability in your area Here

Find out about availability of CDC intervention programs here.

Communication Campaigns

Media campaigns to promote health messages are useful in reaching broad segments of the population. Currently, the department are promoting physical activity to relieve the pain and disability associated with arthritis.

Physical Activity. The Arthritis Pain Reliever

A health communications campaign promoting physical activity to Caucasians and African-Americans with arthritis between the age of 45-64. This campaign is intended for general use by state health departments and their partners

Raise awareness of physical activity as a way to manage arthritis pain and increase function.

Increase understanding of how to use physical activity (types and duration) to ease arthritis symptoms and prevent further disability.

Buenos Días, Artritis

A health communications campaign in Spanish for Spanish speaking Hispanic people with arthritis.

Find out about more about the CDC Arthritis Communication Campaigns here.