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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Adam Atherly, PhD, Tursynbek Nurmagambetov, PhD, Seymour Williams, MD, Marcia Griffith, MPH, and Steven Redd, MD. Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, MS E17, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-727-1175, adam.athery@emory.edu

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of the “Power Breathing” program for asthma among middle and high school students. Because asthma is responsible for 23% of school absences, and is the most common cause of quality-of-life impairment, a number of different interventions have been developed for treating asthma in a school-based setting, including Power Breathing. However, few systematic cost effectiveness evaluations of these programs have been performed. This study presents an analysis of the cost effectiveness of Power Breathing, a school-based program designed for adolescents with asthma.

METHODS: The evaluation was conducted 2003-2004 at selected schools in two school districts in the Kansas City and Stafford/Fredericksburg, VA metropolitan areas. Eight junior high schools and two high schools were selected and matched based on grade range, enrollment, income and race/ethnicity. The schools were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Surveys were administered at baseline, immediately post-intervention and three months post-intervention. A total of 458 children were sampled.

RESULTS: The intervention increased asthma knowledge (p=.014), asthma related quality of life (p=.011) and reduced school absenteeism (p=.03). There was no reduction in direct medical care costs associated with the intervention. Children in the intervention arm had a significant decrease in the number of days experiencing an asthma attack or having trouble breathing during a two period of 0.24 days per two weeks. The program cost approximately $2.1 per asthma attack free day gained, on par with pharmaceutical interventions, suggesting that Power Breathing may be a cost effective asthma intervention.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Understand the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the "Power Breathing" school based asthma intervention program.
• Understand the health and economic implications of asthma for school children, including quality of life, costs, school absences and use of medications.
• Understand important elements for a successful school based asthma intervention program.

Keywords: Asthma, School-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation