NEWS RELEASE
September 29, 1999

Department of Community Health Receives Federal Grant to Reduce Occurrence of Arthritis

Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced that Michigan is one of the first states to receive a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the occurrence of arthritis.

"Arthritis is the number one cause of disability for Americans and is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability," said Haveman. "We are extremely pleased to receive this $60,000 in funding and look forward to playing an important role in building the foundation of a comprehensive, integrated national approach to arthritis."

The 38 states receiving funding and the CDC will collaborate with the Arthritis Foundation and nearly 90 other partners to ensure that public and private strategies are coordinated. The Michigan Department of Community Health will partner with the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to develop an updated Arthritis Initiative Plan for Michigan. With this funding the department will:

• Expand and verify the State Surveillance System to obtain information on the prevalence and severity of self reported arthritis and osteoporosis, treatment and access to health care and knowledge and attitudes about both conditions.

• Update the Michigan Arthritis Plan based on input from a 40 to 50 member, multi-agency Michigan Arthritis Planning Group.

• Plan and Implement Expanded Public Health Interventions. The Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter will determine and prioritize specific strategies for expanding its public health interventions.

Arthritis is one of the most prevalent of chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over the age of 15. In Michigan, it is estimated that more than 1.4 million individuals, or 15.6 percent of residents, have arthritis. By the year 2020, it is expected that in Michigan more than 1.9 million individuals, or 18.4 percent of residents will have arthritis.