General Program Information

Improving the quality of life of Kansans with arthritis is the overall goal of the Kansas Arthritis Program (KAP) through the promotion of proper self-management to prevent or delay the potential joint destruction associated with this disease.

There are more than 100 different diseases and conditions that fall under the umbrella of arthritis; however, the KAP's operating definition of arthritis is the presence of chronic joint symptoms (CJS) and/or a physician's diagnosis of arthritis. CJS is defined as people who report having pain, aching, stiffness, or swelling in or around a joint for at least one month during the past 12 months (2001 Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System).

The Kansas Arthritis Program's focus is the proper self-management of arthritis, including an emphasis on physical activity and the promotion of Arthritis Foundation programs - People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE), the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP) and the Arthritis Self-Help Course (ASHC). Program staff does not give medical advice or provide information about specific medications.

KAP is a partnership of the Arthritis Foundation chapters of Kansas and Western Missouri/Greater Kansas City, the Kansas Statewide Arthritis Steering Committee, and the KDHE Office of Health Promotion.

To go to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Arthritis Program Site, click here.

To visit the CDC arthritis home page, click here.