About Us

 

 

Our Story

The Rheumatology Access Expansion (RAE) Initiative was established in 2021 to support people living with rheumatoid arthritis on the Navajo Reservation.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. When inadequately treated, RA is associated with substantial pain, deformity, and disability. However these poor outcomes can largely be avoided through early diagnosis and appropriate management. It is well-established that the burden of RA in the United States falls disproportionately on communities of color and rural populations. Navajo Nation, the largest American Indian reservation, is especially hard-hit, faced with high RA prevalence and disease severity, and very limited access to rheumatology specialists.

Given the shortage of local rheumatology providers, the majority of RA care falls to primary care providers (PCPs). Supporting PCP-lead management of RA is key to reducing suffering and improving the lives of those with RA on Navajo Nation.

1.3 million Americans

affected by RA

Our project uses an established educational model, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to remotely mentor Navajo Nation PCPs in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of RA, with the primary goal of improving RA disease-associated outcomes and reducing health disparities. Weekly interactive Zoom conferences are led by an interdisciplinary team of RA experts in and around Navajo Nation, and from the University of California San Francisco.

In partnership with local community health organizations, the RAE Initiative is promoting community awareness about RA and celebrating the strength and resilience of those living with RA on Navajo Nation. Projects for 2022 include a Digital Storytelling Workshop, led by Healthy Native Communities Partnership, in which individuals will share their personal stories of how RA has impacted their lives.

Nearly 5X

the national prevalence of RA on the Navajo Nation

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. When inadequately treated, RA is associated with substantial pain, deformity, and disability. However these poor outcomes can largely be avoided through early diagnosis and appropriate management. It is well-established that the burden of RA in the United States falls disproportionately on communities of color and rural populations. Navajo Nation, the largest American Indian reservation, is especially hard-hit, faced with high RA prevalence and disease severity, and very limited access to rheumatology specialists.

Given the shortage of local rheumatology providers, the majority of RA care falls to primary care providers (PCPs). Supporting PCP-lead management of RA is key to reducing suffering and improving the lives of those with RA on Navajo Nation.

Our project uses an established educational model, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to remotely mentor Navajo Nation PCPs in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of RA, with the primary goal of improving RA disease-associated outcomes and reducing health disparities. Weekly interactive Zoom conferences are led by an interdisciplinary team of RA experts in and around Navajo Nation, and from the University of California San Francisco.

In partnership with local community health organizations, the RAE Initiative is promoting community awareness about RA and celebrating the strength and resilience of those living with RA on Navajo Nation. Projects for 2022 include a Digital Storytelling Workshop, led by Healthy Native Communities Partnership, in which individuals will share their personal stories of how RA has impacted their lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. When inadequately treated, RA is associated with substantial pain, deformity, and disability. However these poor outcomes can largely be avoided through early diagnosis and appropriate management. It is well-established that the burden of RA in the United States falls disproportionately on communities of color and rural populations. Navajo Nation, the largest American Indian reservation, is especially hard-hit, faced with high RA prevalence and disease severity, and very limited access to rheumatology specialists.

Given the shortage of local rheumatology providers, the majority of RA care falls to primary care providers (PCPs). Supporting PCP-lead management of RA is key to reducing suffering and improving the lives of those with RA on Navajo Nation.

1.3 million Americans

affected by
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Nearly 5X

the national prevalence of RA in the Navajo Nation

Our project uses an established educational model, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), to remotely mentor Navajo Nation PCPs in the diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of RA, with the primary goal of improving RA disease-associated outcomes and reducing health disparities. Weekly interactive Zoom conferences are led by an interdisciplinary team of RA experts in and around Navajo Nation, and from the University of California San Francisco.

In partnership with local community health organizations, the RAE Initiative is promoting community awareness about RA and celebrating the strength and resilience of those living with RA on Navajo Nation. Projects for 2022 include a Digital Storytelling Workshop, led by Healthy Native Communities Partnership, in which individuals will share their personal stories of how RA has impacted their lives.

Our Experts

Gwendolyn Grant

Jeannie Hong

Jennifer Mandal (PI)

Jinoos Yazdany

Marita Jones

Mimi Margaretten

Nat Cabrera

Tabitha Carroway

Tina Tso

Starla Hairston Blanks

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