The Healthy Aging Program (HAP) strives to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis through strategic statewide partnerships, coordination, and technical assistance for the delivery of arthritis-appropriate evidence-based interventions (AAEBIs). The HAP seeks to expand the reach of AAEBIs through sustainable partners and plans to encourage healthcare providers to increase counseling and referrals for patients with arthritis. The HAP strives to adopt innovative and systems-based approaches to help establish or enhance healthcare provider assessment, counseling, and referrals of patients to increase physical activity. Strategies and activities will target adults (ages 18+) with arthritis and rural populations, address health inequities, and have statewide impact. The HAP will address the growing public health problems of arthritis and increased physical inactivity among Utah residents by committing to the two strategies listed in the Funding Opportunity Announcement, including 1) Expand on sustainably disseminating AAEBis, including programs available for remote delivery intended to increase reach to our selected disproportionately impacted rural communities.
The HAP expects to achieve the CDC required outcome measures (OM) and the coinciding PMs within 5 years as a result of this NOFO: OM1) Increased AAEBI enrollment resulting in 14,000 participants from sustainable strategies, which is more than the 2% of the total number of adults with arthritis requirement but represents an expansion for Utah. PM1a. Number of adults enrolled in AAEBIs, within the state and rural, underserved populations. OM2) Increased percent of adults with arthritis who get healthcare provider counseling about physical activity for arthritis management. PM2a. & PM3c. Percent of adults diagnosed with arthritis, within the state and rural, underserved populations, who report being counseled by a doctor or other HCP to be physically active or exercise to help manage their arthritis or joint symptoms. OM3) Reduced disparities in arthritis management and outcomes among adults with arthritis. PM3a) Decreased percent of adults (ages 18+) diagnosed with arthritis, within Utah while specifically targeting the rural/frontier population, who report being physically inactive. PM3b) Increased percent of adults (ages 18+) diagnosed with arthritis, within the state and selected rural/frontier population, who report walking for exercise among their top 2 forms of exercise. PM3d) Increased percent of adults diagnosed with arthritis, within the state and rural/frontier population, who report they have ever taken an educational course or a class to teach them how to manage problems related to their arthritis or joint symptoms.
We have enjoyed the opportunity to serve and address the specific needs of adults in Utah with arthritis over the past years and look forward to expanding marketing strategies that lead to increased healthcare provider assessments, counseling, and referrals for those with arthritis. Through sustainable partners and with plans to influence healthcare providers intended for increasing referrals and counseling for patients with arthritis, the HAP will work throughout the project period to lessen the overall burden of arthritis throughout Utah.