School nurses, partners in addressing asthma: A collaborative program with the University of CT Health Center, CT Departments of Education and Public Health and US Environmental Protection Agency- New England Region

CT communities reflect great socio-economic disparity, from substantial wealth to large clusters of poverty. Hartford has the second highest incidence of child poverty among the nation's cities (41.3%). Asthma rates are highest in urban areas and poorer towns. In 2001, 8.9% of CT children under 18 were estimated to have asthma. In households with income less than $25,000, this rate reached 13.5%. Schools are sites for student and family health education and behavioral change, and may for poorer children be the primary place for access to their families. Also school environments may affect asthma symptoms. Nurses maintain health records, provide care to asthmatic children and facilitate environmental intervention as through EPA Tools for Schools Programs. Recognizing that school nurse information represents an important resource, CT mandated (2001) yearly school nurse asthma reporting to the CT Department of Public Health. The University of Connecticut in conjunction with CT Departments of Education and Public Health and the EPA have explored a model that builds on this initiative and involves school nurses in efforts to improve asthma tracking, prevention and intervention especially in urban school districts. Barriers to and opportunities for enhanced health tracking have been explored through interviews with school nurses, assessments of available school nurse software and exploration of relationships with primary care providers. This model leverages existing systems and programs, and explores potential for school nurses to become powerful public health allies by identifying children at risk, improving their care, and working toward environmental change for children with asthma.