Maryland Health - General Section 13-504

      The purposes of this subtitle are to:

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

                  (i)      Educational materials;

                  (ii)      Information on research results;

                  (iii)      Information on services provided; and

                  (iv)      Strategies for prevention and control;

            (3)      Establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention of arthritis and related disability through surveillance, epidemiology, and prevention research;

            (4)      Utilize educational and training resources and services developed by organizations with appropriate expertise and knowledge of arthritis and use available technical assistance;

            (5)      Evaluate the need for improving the quality and accessibility of existing community-based arthritis services;

            (6)      Increase awareness about the prevention, detection, and treatment of arthritis among State and local health officials, providers, professionals, and policy makers;

            (7)      Implement and coordinate State and local programs and services to reduce the public health burden of arthritis; and

            (8)      Improve the quality of life and contain health care costs for individuals with arthritis and their families.