Development of an integrated asthma awareness curriculum for elementary schools

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Emily V. Pike, MPH¹, Colleen M. Richmond, RN, BSN, MPH¹, Xuan Huang, MPH¹, Jamie M. Kleiss, BS², and David A. Sterling, PhD, CIH¹. (1) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, 3rd floor, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-977-3237, pikeev@slu.edu, (2) School of Public Health, St. Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, 3rd floor, St. Louis, MO 63104

In order to comply with recent changes to federal and state education standards requirements, many curricula considered non-essential, such as health education, are not a priority and may not even be taught in many school districts. Teachers find it increasingly difficult to provide opportunities for learning about subjects which fall outside the required curricula within the standard school day. A curriculum unit was developed to enhance the core subject areas of mathematics, science and communication arts integrating asthma materials and messages into the lessons. This curriculum unit addresses Missouri and federal education standards, uses existing lesson plans and activities, and provides asthma education for the entire class. Feasibility testing of this curriculum was evaluated in a local school district in St. Louis, Missouri. Four classrooms (third and fourth grade) tested three lesson plans. Teacher feedback through focus groups and surveys, and a student asthma pre-post quiz were used to assess the feasibility and impact of the lessons. Teacher evaluations were positive and indicated that the lessons were age-appropriate, held students' interest, enhanced previously learned skills, and increased students' overall understanding of asthma. The student asthma quiz indicated improved asthma knowledge for all students (p<.001). Based on the results of the feasibility testing, a curriculum unit of 15 lesson plans has been developed and will be piloted in spring 2006. An integrated asthma awareness curriculum provides a valuable opportunity to give all students a basic understanding of asthma and may assist school districts with incorporating asthma education into core subject areas.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

1. Describe the rationale for development of an integrated asthma curriculum.
2. Recognize the importance of teacher and student feedback in the development of an integrated curriculum.
3. Understand how to apply the curriculum unit in their own setting.

Keywords: Asthma, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Asthma and other School Health Services Issues

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA