6 advocacy steps
Improve chronic pain management with any (or all!) of the advocacy steps below:
Become an advocate
Whether you are someone with chronic pain, a medical provider, caregiver, or community member, you can help people with chronic pain through advocacy!
Check out the 6 advocacy steps below to better address chronic pain in our community.
Learn about regional and statewide recommendations for chronic pain management.
Check out the RHC chronic pain policy statement to better understand recommendations from national strategies and local experts on chronic pain management and prevention.
Advocate for more equitable access to health care services.
According to the US Census Bureau, 10% of Missourians have no health insurance. Even for those with insurance, necessary services, like physical therapy and psychological therapies, are often not covered. Visit RHC’s website to learn how to advocate for policies that expand access to health care for all.
Share information about chronic pain on your social media.
Share our social media messaging about chronic pain with your friends and family. Download our resource with social media content that's ready to post.
Listen and believe people with chronic pain.
Chronic pain can feel isolating. Supportive social connections from neighbors, friends, and family can help reduce the impact of chronic pain. Social support is a form of advocacy.
Address trauma in your community as an Alive and Well Ambassador.
The research is clear. Traumatic experiences can increase our risk for chronic pain. Trauma can happen to individuals and to entire communities. Food deserts, unaffordable housing, gun violence, and racism are forms of community violence. If we want to prevent and better manage chronic pain, we have to address these traumas and inequities that are making our community sick. Become an Alive and Well Ambassador to help your community heal from trauma.
Help grow and sustain the Community Health Worker workforce.
Community Health Workers help connect their own communities to the health care system. Given their trusted voice in the community, they are in a unique position to empower people living with chronic pain. The Integrated Health Network (IHN) is leading a collaborative to help grow the Community Health Workers workforce. Contact the IHN to get involved with policy change on this important topic.
Be the best advocate you can by taking care of yourself.
Improving the health care system and addressing inequities is hard work. Make sure you also think about your own needs – this includes physical, social, emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual needs. Try writing in a journal or taking a walk outside to clear your head. Make time to re-energize yourself.