“Data: What are they Good For? Absolutely Nothing…If you Don’t Have Them!” Utah’s Arthritis BRFSS Follow-Up Survey: Obtaining Data to Direct Program Activities Richard Bullough, PhD

What Do We Have? n The BRFSS modules provide valuable information about prevalence rates of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and CJS by u age u gender u race/ethnicity u education/income levels u health status u leisure-time physical activities u body mass index

What Don’t We Have? n However, BRFSS modules do not provide information about: u traditional medical care; u alternative therapy use; u sources of information about arthritis; u insurance and health cost issues; and u factors affecting arthritis management n These data may help identify program priorities and focus program resources.

How Do We Get What We Need? n Research! Ask programmatically relevant questions to gain programmatically relevant data n Many examples including follow-up surveys and qualitative research (QR) n Utah’s Arthritis BRFSS Follow-up Survey –Using BRFSS, 988 Adults with arthritis identified –Of these, 714 completed the Follow-up Survey (developed the UAP and CDC) –24 questions focused on gaining information about important stuff we didn’t know

What Did We Find Out? n During the past 12 months 83 percent of respondents received advice from their health care provider about their arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms

Arthritis Information Sources, in Utah Adults with Arthritis What Did We Find Out? (Continued)

Exercise as Management for Arthritis, in Utah Adults with Arthritis What Did We Find Out? (Continued)

Diet/Weight Loss as Management for Arthritis, in Utah Adults with Arthritis What Did We Find Out? (Continued)

n USE THE DATA to design and implement programs! n Utah Example: We know primary care providers are greatest source of info, they are recommending PA and weight loss/diet, and patients are trying but failing. QR indicates providers “mention” these interventions but don’t support with program info and/or referral n Intervention: Partner with providers to deliver evidence-based programs in support of patient attempts to achieve PA and weight loss/diet recommendations, and implement systems-based referral into these programs Now What?

n Thanks to the CDC and others, we now know quite a lot about arthritis n However, additional programmatically relevant data may be helpful in directing arthritis programs and designing/implementing interventions n Identify what you know, what you don’t know, and what you need to know n Talk with CDC and state programs about ways to gain the information you need…perhaps others already have it or have designed ways to get it n Regardless of how you obtain your important information….USE IT to increase the impact and reach of your arthritis program Conclusion

Utah Arthritis Program Bureau of Health Promotion 288 North 1460 West P.O. Box Salt Lake City, UT (801) Contact Information