Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105165

Mary Beth Schlabach, RN, MS, AE-C and C. Andrew Aligne, MD MPH. Finger Lakes Regional Community Asthma Network, 204 Valley Rd., Rochester, NY 14618, 585-442-0459, bbkbach@rochester.rr.com

Asthma is the main chronic medical problem in children, and it disproportionately affects those who live in inner-cities. The Rochester City School District's poverty rate, 78.4%, is the highest in New York State and the percentage of housing built before 1940 is 59%. The scientific literature indicates that an ecological approach to asthma can be very effective and that asthma is a clinical syndrome consisting of many different phenotypes and thus it necessitates individualized care. Combining these two evidence-based concepts has been the foundation of our community asthma coalition's program of individualized environmental intervention. For the past several years, we have been piloting an innovative approach to asthma management that appears to have been remarkably effective. An Asthma Care Coordinator nurse worked closely with insurers, home health care agencies, Environmental Services and other partners to control asthma through home visits that included health education and environmental mitigation efforts. Children were referred for this service by school nurses, ERs, primary care doctors, community agencies and parents. Eligible children had “out of control” asthma: i.e. high asthma-related absenteeism, emergency room visits or hospitalizations. Examples of mitigation efforts have included providing: air & furnace filters, pillow and mattress covers, shower curtains, vacuum cleaners, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and referrals for smoking cessation counseling. A pediatric asthma action plan geared toward low readability levels was developed as part of the asthma care coordination services to reinforce education between home visits. There has been high family acceptance of and adherence with this program.

Learning Objectives:

• Use a one-page home assessment tool to identify common asthma triggers.
• Recommend individualized, inexpensive and effective environmntal interventions.
• Understand how home visits can complement medical care and have a profound positive impact on the health of asthmatic children.

Keywords: Asthma, Environment

Related Web page: www.rcanasthma.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.