Recorded presentation

Noreen M. Clark, PhD¹, Laurie LaChance, PhD², Xin Geng, MS², Christy Houle, MPH², and Amy R. Friedman, MPH¹. (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) School of Public Health, U of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Background: Coalitions are seen as a promising means to mobilize communities for asthma control. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Allies Against Asthma National Program sponsors the efforts of seven coalitions to develop and implement community-wide approaches that integrate clinical, family, community and environmental strategies. Methods: Each coalition engaged in extensive planning processes that brought to the table a variety of stakeholders including those living with asthma, those providing clinical care, those providing supportive services and those financing health care. A multi-tiered evaluation is underway tracking coalition processes, program reach, and outcomes. Results: Respondents of the annual coalition self-assessment survey continue to report consensus on vision and strategy, benefits to participation, trusted relationships and fair decision-making. Coalitions developed community action plans with prioritized interventions to implement in home, school, clinic and community settings. Mechanisms to develop linkages and integrate services have emerged. Interventions address change at individual, organization and system levels. Conclusions: Early findings indicate that the Allies Against Asthma coalitions maintain capacity and readiness to mount integrated community action plans in multiple settings. The experience should contribute to the understanding of collaborative approaches to disease control.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to

1)Recognize the value-added role of coalitions in building multi-sector approaches for asthma management;
• Understand how tracking coalition processes is linked to implementation of intervention stratagies; and
• Describe community action plans to improve asthma control

Keywords: Asthma, Coalition

Related Web page: alliesagainstasthma.net

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.

Recorded presentation