This position paper examines the lack of comprehensive arthritis health policy in New York State and provides recommendations as to what an arthritis policy for the state might resemble. The paper supports the current and future need of arthritis public health policy by citing the prevalence of arthritis and related diseases in the state (3.7 million) and the nation (46 million). Future prevalence will only increase as the population ages and becomes more obese.

The paper focuses on the creation of arthritis public health legislation, with a comparison of other state and national public health chronic disease legislation, and the inclusion of specific, evidence-based programs as the crux of the policy. Examined in depth are the Chronic Disease Self Management Program and the Chronic Care Model and how each would complement the other as part of a comprehensive response to arthritis and related diseases. A final focus using the RE-AIM Framework allows for examination of the proposed content at the macro, or policy, level.