1. (1) Create and foster a statewide program that promotes public awareness and increases knowledge about the causes of arthritis, the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management, effective prevention strategies, and pain prevention and management;

2. (2) Enhance understanding of arthritis by disseminating to patients, health professionals, and the public:

   1. (i) Educational materials;
   2. (ii) Information on research results;
   3. (iii) Information on services provided; and
   4. (iv) Strategies for prevention and control;
3. (3) Establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention of arthritis and related disability through surveillance, epidemiology, and prevention research;
4. (4) Utilize educational and training resources and services developed by organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of arthritis and use available technical assistance;
5. (5) Evaluate the need for improving the quality and accessibility of existing community-based arthritis services;
6. (6) Increase awareness about the prevention, detection, and treatment of arthritis among State and local health officials, providers, professionals, and policy makers;
7. (7) Implement and coordinate State and local programs and services to reduce the public health burden of arthritis; and
8. (8) Improve the quality of life and contain health care costs for individuals with arthritis and their families.

The purposes of this subtitle are to:

Added by Acts 2002, c. 215, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002.