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Abstract #153457

Michael S. Kobernick, MD, MS, Community Health Services, St John Health, 22101 Moross Road, PB II, Suite 365, Detroit, MI 48236, 248-506-1450, michael.kobernick@stjohn.org, Jonnie Hamilton, NP, St John Health Community Health Services, Butzel School Based Health Center, 22101 Moross Road, PB II - Suite 365, Detroit, MI 48236, and Nancy Mason, NP, School Based Health Centers, St John Health, 22101 Moross Road, Suite 365- PB II, Detroit, MI 48326.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the small airways of the lungs associated with recurrent episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness and coughing. Asthma may occur at any age, but about 50% of cases occur in childhood and approximately 1 of 15 children is affected. Asthma accounts for a significant number of childhood emergency department visits, hospitalizations and more deaths than are necessary. In addition, asthmatic children often miss school resulting in lower achievement.

The Deep Breath program is taught to childhood asthmatics by School Based Health Center staff during ten educational sessions. The goals are to train children and adolescents how to manage asthma by understanding the medications, triggers and how to prevent flare-ups. Students who complete the program have had increased peak flow readings, fewer missed school days, fewer emergency room and doctor visits, and improved GPA. Most significantly the program teaches the tools that enable asthmatics to participate fully in their important activities of daily living.

Learning Objectives:

· Identify the incidence of asthma in urban minority population age 8 – 15 · Describe the Deep Breath Program and it components · Describe program results over a three (
• year period

Keywords: Asthma, School-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.