The CPRA is working diligently to advance several advocacy goals to improve the health and quality of life of those with Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs). 

Goal #1: Expand Basical, Translational & Clinical Research on COPCs

In an effort to identify safe and effective treatment for individuals with COPCs, the CPRA is working to advance a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective research effort to advance understanding of the risks, causes and mechanisms of COPCs.

Stakeholders: National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Industry 

Goal #2: Develop Research Diagnostic Criteria, Common Data Elements & Data Repository for COPCs

Currently, as is the case for many diseases, researchers studying COPCs are using different definitions and diagnostic criteria in their respective studies, as well as collecting a wide range of data using different methods. This has lead to difficulty in comparing study findings across publications, research groups and institutions. To maximize the federal research investment and expedite data analysis that can improve patient care, the CPRA is working with the National Institutes of Health to develop COPCs Research Diagnostic Criteria, as well as a minimum data set and federal data-sharing repository. 

Stakeholders: National Institutes of Health

Goal #3: Initiate Epidemiological, Health Services & Economic Impact Studies on COPCs

The CPRA is working to advance the collection of national epidemiological data – from the general public, as well as the active and retired military populations – on the incidence, prevalence and shared risk factors associated with the development of COPCs to understand the prevalence of multiple conditions, rates of overlap in different populations and the economic impact of having multiple conditions on the individual, payers and U.S. economy.  

Stakeholders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Insurers, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Health Resources and Services Administration 

Goal #4: Advance Therapeutic Development for COPCs

Given the widespread prevalence, high rates of overlap and use of similar drug and non-drug treatments across COPCs, the CPRA is working to encourage the FDA to develop an initiative to advance both drug and non-drug treatments for COPCs that involves the patient community, clinicians treating COPCs and scientists studying these conditions. 

Stakeholders: Food and Drug Administration, Industry 

Goal #5: Encourage a National Awareness & Educational Campaign on COPCs 

The CPRA is working to initiate a national federal awareness campaign that will educate the public about the seriousness and societal costs of COPCs, make available reliable information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of COPCs for patients, and educate health care providers, particularly primary care providers, and those who are training to become medical professionals.  

Stakeholders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration