 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Noreen M. Clark, PhD1, Linda Jo Doctor, MPH2, Laurie LaChance, PhD3, Amy Friedman, MPH1, Christy Houle, MPH3, and Xin Geng, MS3. (1) Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-763-5454, nmclark@umich.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 109 South Observatory St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) School of Public Health, U of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Background: Control of asthma is dependent on a person’s ability to manage the disease. The individual can only manage well if services, resources and support are available and adequate. Ensuring a supportive environment involves the integration of a wide range of sectors and systems to address the clinical, environmental and family and community factors that influence asthma control. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Allies Against Asthma National Program sponsors the efforts of seven coalitions as they are developing community-wide approaches for asthma control. The lessons learned by the coalitions as they face challenges and seek solutions should enhance understanding of effective asthma management.
Methods: A comprehensive evaluation is underway including annual self-assessment surveys administered to a sample of the membership of the seven Allies Against Asthma Coalitions. Baseline data are available now.
Results: 294 respondents completed the surveys. Coalition membership represents diverse stakeholders including health care institutions, schools and daycare centers, community based organizations and families living with asthma. Preliminary findings indicate that 70% of respondents think there is sufficient representation from groups to accomplish the coalition's objectives. Respondents reported benefits of participation in the coalition to include learning more about asthma (84.4%). Coalitions were thought to be responsible for activities and programs in childhood asthma that that would have not occurred otherwise (74.0%). Ways to engage key stakeholders make decisions and integrate strategies are topics for consideration by coalitions.
Conclusions: Early findings from Allies Against Asthma indicate that coalitions are thought by their members to be a promising mechanism to engage diverse stakeholders in multi-level strategies to control asthma. .
Learning Objectives:
Related Web page: www.asthma.umich.edu
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.