(A)

(1) The department of health may conduct a needs assessment to identify all of the following:

(a) The level of statewide health professional and public awareness about lupus;

(b) The existence of lupus education, awareness, and treatment programs and related technical assistance available in the state and nationwide;

(c) The lupus-related educational and support service needs of health care providers in the state, including physicians, nurses, health plans, and other health professionals and health care entities;

(d) The needs of people with lupus, their families, and caregivers, including health care providers, physicians, nurses, health plans, and other health professionals and health care entities;

(e) The services available to individuals with lupus, including the existence and availability of lupus treatment and specialty care, lupus support groups, and other related care and management services.

(2) Based on the needs assessment, the department may develop and maintain a directory of lupus-related services and health care providers with specialization in services to diagnose and treat lupus. The department may disseminate the directory to all stakeholders, including individuals with lupus, families, representatives from voluntary organizations, health professionals, health plans, and state and local health agencies.

(B) The department may undertake activities to raise public awareness about the symptoms of lupus, personal risk factors, and options for diagnosing and treating the disease with a particular focus on populations at elevated risk for lupus. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Implementing a statewide campaign to educate the general public about lupus by utilizing print, radio, and television public service announcements, advertisements, posters, and other materials;

(2) Disseminating health information and conducting individual risk assessments at public events, such as health fairs and community forums sponsored by the department;

(3) Distributing information through local health departments; schools; area agencies on aging; employer wellness programs; physicians and other health professionals; hospitals and health plans; health, nonprofit, and community-based organizations; and regional offices of the department.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Prior History: (Repealed by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §105.01, eff. 10/16/2009.)

(Effective Date: 09-05-2001)