Arthritis Council
Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. There are more than 100 types of arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is common among people with other chronic conditions including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. There is no cure for arthritis, but it can be treated and managed with medication, non-drug therapies (e.g., physical therapy), and self-management education programs. Additionally, being physically active is an essential part of preventing and managing many chronic conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
For more information on arthritis basics, research and scientific publications, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arthritis website.
2024 - 2025 Steering Committee Members
Nadia Mazza
Chairperson, North Carolina Center for Health Wellness at UNC Asheville
Emily Bird
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Lakin Davis
West Virginia University
Erin Bley
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Greg Welk
Iowa State University
Melissa Dale
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Arthritis Council
The NACDD Arthritis Council provides a forum for CDC-funded state arthritis programs, national organizations, and other partners to come together for peer-to-peer sharing and learning in an effort to increase state capacity to advance arthritis public health efforts. Any NACDD member or Associate Member is eligible to JOIN the Arthritis Council.
The Arthritis Council provides feedback and guidance on training and technical assistance opportunities facilitated by NACDD.
- The Arthritis Council monthly calls occur on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. ET.
- Many of the Arthritis Council monthly calls include subject matter experts, program sharing, and networking.
- The Arthritis Council oversees the formation of topic specific workgroups to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and sharing.
- Partnerships and Strategies to Sustain and Disseminate AAEBIs (Strategy 1) Workgroup held the second Thursday of each month @ 2:00 p.m. ET – NEW REGISTRATION for calls beginning July 2024
- Healthcare Providers Counseling About Physical Activity and Referrals to AAEBIs (Strategy 2) Workgroup held the first Thursday of each month @ 2:00 p.m. ET – NEW REGISTRATION for calls beginning August 2024
- The Arthritis Council also provides guidance on planning National Arthritis Recipient Meetings (2021 and 2023).
The Purpose of the Council is to —
- Represent state arthritis programs and related issues and concerns within the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD).
- Provide a national forum to link state/territorial/tribal program directors/coordinators, and others to act collectively in the promotion of Arthritis health.
- Provide a venue for participants to exchange ideas, strategies, materials, and policies and procedures to improve and enhance comprehensive public health programs/policies for Arthritis diseases and their risk factors.
- Advocate for legislation, policies, and programs to reduce the burden of Arthritis diseases and their risk factors.
- Provide comments and recommendations to federal agencies and the membership on issues for which comment has been solicited or for which the Council feels comments are required.
- Provide leadership and develop partnerships with affiliates, private and public associations, and industry to catalyze promotion of Arthritis health.
The council is governed by a Steering Committee that includes the Chair and other at-large members.