The State Advisory Council on Arthritis and
Related Diseases started as the State Commission
on Arthritis and Related Diseases in 1985 (Chapter
250, Acts of 1985) In 1992, the Council received
its present name and was placed under the Local
and Family Health Administration (Chapter 71,
Acts of 1992) The Council coordinates the activi
ties of public and private agencies, medical schools,
and related professional groups to improve the
quality of life for arthritic individuals and their
families The Council makes recommendations to
limit costs associated with arthritis prevention and
treatment, and vocational training, as well as to
improve services The Council also develops and
coordinates programs in vocational rehabilitation
and industry to help arthritic individuals remain
productive in the work force
Through studies and proposals, the Council
seeks to form an integrated State program of edu
cation and applied research in gerontology and
geriatrics The development of a strategic plan of
patient education throughout Maryland is coordi-
nated by the Council The plan involves State and
local health departments, private agencies, pharma
ceutical companies, medical schools, and profes-
sional organizations
The Council's fifteen members are appointed by
the Governor, who designates the chair Members
serve four year terms (Code Health—General Ar
tide, sees 13 501 through 13-506)

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON
HEREDITARY & CONGENITAL DISORDERS

Peter B Hirtle, Chair, 1998
(410) 767-6505

The State Advisory Council on Hereditary and
Congenital Disorders formed in 1973 as the Corn
mission on Hereditary Disorders (Chapter 695,
Acts of 1973) In 1986, it was renamed the State
Commission on Hereditary and Congenital Disor
ders (Chapter 740, Acts of 1986) In 1992, it
received its present name and was placed under the
Local and Family Health Administration (Chapter
71, Acts of 1992)
The Council gathers and disseminates mforma
tion on the treatment of hereditary and congenital
disorders in the State It also establishes and prom-
ulgates rules, regulations, and standards for the
detection and management of these disorders On
a continuous basis, it evaluates the need for and
efficiency of relevant State programs For the public
and providers of health services, the Council also
institutes and supervises educational programs and
counseling on hereditary and congenital disorders,
their treatment and prevention
The Council is composed of eleven voting mem
bers and five nonvotmg members Those voting
serve four-year terms They include nine members
appointed by the Governor, one senator appointed

by the Senate President, and one delegate ap
pointed by the House Speaker The nonvotmg
members are appointed by the Secretary of Health
and Mental Hygiene (Code Health—General Arti
cle, sees 13 103 through 13 109)

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & RELATED
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS

Elijah Saunders, M D , Chair, 1998
(410) 767 6505

The State Advisory Council on High Blood
Pressure and Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors
originated as the Commission on High Blood Pres
sure in 1976 (Chapter 792, Acts of 1976) It
became the State Commission on High Blood Pres
sure and Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in
1986 (Chapter 486, Acts of 1986) In 1992, it was
reorganized under its present name and placed
under the Local and Family Health Administration
(Chapter 71, Acts of 1992)
The Council establishes guidelines to manage
and treat high blood pressure and related cardio
vascular risk factors The Council also develops and
promotes educational programs to prevent and
treat these conditions
The Council's sixteen members are appointed by the
Governor for terms of fouryears Consumer members are
appointed with Senate advice and consent (Code
Health—General Article, sees 13 201 through 13 206)

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS
Vacancy, Chair
Carol V Fnedman, Executive Director
(410) 767-6759

The State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
began as the State Commission on Physical Fitness m
1963 (Chapter 606, Acts of 1963) The Council was
reorganized m 1992 by its present name under the
Local and Family Health Administration (Chapter 71,
Acts of 1992) The Council works to protect and
improve the physical fitness of Marylanders It disserm
nates information about physical fitness, and collects
and assembles information from State departments
and agencies To further its work, the Council main
tains liaison with the State Department of Education,
local boards of education, private and parochial
schools, and local physical fitness commissions
The Council consists of twenty five members
appointed by the Governor with the advice of the
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene Members
serve four year terms The Governor names the
chair The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene
appoints the executive director
In each county and Baltimore City, the Governor
appoints a local advisory council of from fifteen to
twenty five members The Secretary of Health and
Mental Hygiene names each chair (Code Health—
General Article, sees 13 401 through 13 412)