Arthritis in South Carolina: Small State Looking to Make Big Things Happen

Submission Date: October 2014

State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: South Carolina

States/Territories Involved: South Carolina

Funding Source: CDC

CDC Funding:

Yes

CDC Funding (Specified):

CDC-RFA-DP12-1210 State Public Health Approaches to Improving Arthritis Outcomes

Domain Addressed:

Community-Clinical Linkages

Public Health Issue:

• South Carolina ranks eleventh highest in the nation for the prevalence of arthritis with an estimated one million or 28% of adults 18 and older reporting doctor diagnosed arthritis (2011 BRFSS).
• Almost 51% of these individuals report having some activity limitations. Arthritis also takes a tremendous toll on the state’s economy with an estimated impact of $1.3 billion in direct and in-direct costs.
• Evidence-based arthritis self-management programs have been proven to increase the practice of healthy behaviors, improve self-management of health, and reduce health care utilization.

Project Objectives:

The central aim of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Division of Healthy Aging is to improve the quality of life among persons affected by arthritis. The SCDHEC Arthritis Program uses CDC funding to strengthen partnerships with other chronic disease programs, state Arthritis Foundation chapters/regions and other partners, improve their ability to monitor the burden of arthritis, coordinate activities, and to promote self-management education and physical activity.

Program Action:

• The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Division of Healthy Aging is making various types of physical activity and chronic disease self-management programs readily available to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by keeping older adults active and providing them with information to manage their chronic conditions.
• The SCDHEC efforts over the last year have focused on building partnerships with healthcare delivery systems to expand access and increase referrals to build sustainability.  This has resulted in a substantial increase (almost tripled) in the number of health systems offering and making referrals to the Chronic Disease Self-Management programs (CDSMP) within the 2013-2014 grant year.

Impact/Accomplishments:

• Programs increased by 100% from July 2013 to June 2014 within the 40 counties in South Carolina that are offering the CDSMP.
• 3 evidence-based arthritis programs are offered on a regular basis within the Senior Centers of Spartanburg County as well as through partnerships with community organizations such as local libraries, churches and YMCA’s.
• Through these partnerships, an increased number of county residents have access to and have participated in the community based programs.  During the 2012 – 2013 grant year 15 sites reached 587 participants through all interventions and in 2013 – 2014, 19 sites reached 631 participants.
• The director of the partner organization states that, “Participants really love the programs and they have been very successful with recruiting participants from other programs through word of mouth and other marketing strategies.”   She has heard many testimonials from her participants and has seen improvement ranging from noticeable positive personality changes to increased physical activity ability to substantial weight loss.

Program Areas:

Arthritis

State Contact Information:

SC
Michele D. James
SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
803-898-0349
jamesmd@dhec.sc.gov

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