130A-222. Department to establish program.
(a) The Department shall establish and administer a program for the detection and prevention of arthritis and the care and treatment of persons with arthritis. The purpose of the program shall be:
(1) To improve professional education for physicians and allied health professionals including nurses, physical and occupational therapists and social workers;
(2) To conduct programs of public education and information;
(3) To provide detection and treatment programs and services for the at-risk population of this State;
(4) To utilize the services available at the State medical schools, existing arthritis rehabilitation centers and existing local arthritis clinics and agencies;
(5) To develop an arthritis outreach clinical system;
(6) To develop and train personnel at clinical facilities for diagnostic work-up, laboratory analysis and consultations with primary physicians regarding patient management; and
(7) To develop the epidemiologic studies to determine frequency and distribution of the disease.
(b) The Commission is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement the program.