The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA), partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arthritis Foundation, issued A National Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis in 2020. The Agenda was developed by leading experts, and features nine strategies to improve health and quality of life among millions of Americans with osteoarthritis (OA).
To further facilitate uptake and implementation of these strategies, the OAAA, CDC, and Arthritis Foundation have now developed a companion series of practical and easily implemented “Action Briefs” for seven sectors critical for effecting change:
- Health professionals
- Employers
- Insurers
- Community-based organizations
- Policy makers
- Healthcare system leaders
- Public health professionals
Each brief outlines important information about OA and relevant, compelling data to make the case for Why OA Matters to members of each sector. Most importantly, the briefs encourage leaders to Act NOW! by offering specific actions appropriate to each sector and links to vetted online tools, guidelines, videos, and other resources. These tools empower leaders to easily tailor offerings to meet their group’s specific health needs, and to improve equity in access and delivery by using telehealth, mobile technology, and other virtual or remote innovations.
This means, for example, an employer at a major healthcare system can now more easily offer webinars for providers on the latest management options, education and brochures for patients, and workplace wellness programs for employees with OA. Or business leaders can create healthier work environments using arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based classes, counseling, cafeteria selections or walking paths.
Although focused specifically on OA, the updated strategies have wide-ranging applicability to other types of arthritis and chronic conditions. Many adults with OA also have other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Taking steps to prevent and manage OA will have the added multiplier effect of improving the lives of adults with these other chronic diseases, a media release from Osteoarthritis Action Alliance explains.
[Source(s): Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, PR Newswire]
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