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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Michael Kennedy, MGA, MPH, CHES and Maria Bonaiuto, RN, MSN. Administrative Core Services, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, 704-432-1107, mike.kennedy@carolinahealthcare.org

In response to local and national data on the impact of asthma on school-age children, and the lack of a systematic response by public health, local public schools and the health care delivery system, the Mecklenburg County Health Department, in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and with funding from the CDC, initiated the Asthma Education Program with primary objectives of increasing asthma education programs in schools for staff, students and parents; developing a cost effective, sustainable resource for students with asthma in the school setting; and, creating collaborative community partnerships to improve communication and continuity of care between the medical community and schools. A multi-pronged approach was developed to address all aspects of improving the lives of students with asthma, including the education of students, their parents and school staff; school environment concerns; coordinating with respiratory therapists to serve higher-needs students to increase capacity for self-care, and educate physicians to increase awareness of the program and the utilization of school health professionals in their care-planning to enhance patient compliance. This program will explain the aspects of the program, the development of ongoing resources, innovative uses of technology, lessons learned in the process of forging new alliances, and the positive outcomes on the individual, community and policy levels from a Coordinated School Health approach to a complex issue.

Learning Objectives: