Developing an annual program plan for all Clearinghouse activities.
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), is the central federal source of information on professional, patient, and public education materials and programs.
The Clearinghouse relies on biomedical, health communication, and epidemiologic research to determine appropriate audiences' information needs and the channels through which they can best be reached. NIAMS utilizes an active outreach and health communications program, including the operation of a major initiative addressing systemic lupus erythematosus among African-American women. Outreach for this program was based on geo-demographic mapping, involved religious communities, and provided education materials.
Cygnus developed an annual program plan for all Clearinghouse activities that included handling requests, distributing publications, conducting research, maintaining a database, and supporting a health education campaign.
