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184638 Burden of Asthma on Schools

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 1:30 PM

Mary Kreger, Dr PH , Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, UCSF, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Claire Brindis, DrPH , Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Dana Hughes, DrPH , Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Katherine Sargent, BA , Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Simran Sabherwal, MHS , Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, UCSF, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Annalisa Robles, MPA , The California Endowment, Los Angeles, CA
Marion Standish, JDL , Greater Bay Area Regional Office, The California Endowment, Oakland, CA
Audio (mp3) recording Multimedia recording
Purpose: The Burden of Asthma on Schools Project documents the affects of asthma on schools by examining research on school absenteeism and performance, as well as longer-term expectations of school and life success.

The Project included analysis of data from the literature, health, and environmental sources and examines how to summarize the impact data for policy makers in meaningful terms. The strengths and challenges of various options for calculating the impact in monetary terms are explored. In addition to the data presentation, school programs that facilitate the development of resilience and protective factors in children are described. These programs are especially relevant for children and youth who face the challenges of chronic conditions. Finally, the experiences of several community coalitions are documented who are working with schools to reduce the environmental risk factors related to asthma. Their successes and challenges are analyzed in order to provide lessons to other communities addressing these issues in their schools.

Conclusion: Understanding the impact of asthma on schools can facilitate community coalitions establishing better school policies that reduce environmental risk factors and provide on-site support to children who have asthma exacerbations. These data also provide district and state policy makers with a rationale for reducing diesel, ozone, and particulate matter exposures near schools.

Learning Objectives:
Define important aspects of how asthma affects school attendance and achievement. Discuss options for presenting data to policy makers in meaningful ways.

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, School Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have more than 15 years of health policy reseach and have presented at multiple national meetings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

See more of: School-Based Health Centers to Enhance Child Health Access and Reduce Disparities
See more of: Community Health Planning and Policy Development