Maryland Health - General Section 13-504
§ 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.