NACDD is funded through a cooperative agreement from CDC (DP16-1606) to execute national strategies that enhance health, wellness, and quality of life for people with arthritis by working with employers to implement Walk With Ease, an evidence-based walking program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Walk With Ease is aimed at reducing pain, improving balance and strength, and increasing physical activity levels for employees with Musculoskeletal Conditions. This can increase productivity, improve morale and job satisfaction, decrease absenteeism and health care costs.

To facilitate this work, NACDD is collaborating with partner organizations to provide technical assistance on the benefits of including Walk With Ease as a covered physical activity benefit, as well as to assist employers in the implementation process.

Current project highlights include partnering with:

• MedWorks Consulting, the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, and the Health Promotion Council to target employers in Philadelphia and Delaware.
• The Montana Department of Health and Human Services to build on the success of the Work@Health¬Æ program and the Montana state employee workplace wellness program to implement Walk With Ease as a component of worksite wellness efforts in employers across Montana.
• The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) to market their online portal to State Health Department members as an easy to implement and streamlined data collection tool for the Walk With Ease self-directed program.

To learn more, please contact Lisa Erck at eerck@chronicdisease.org