Building capacity for addressing asthma from a public health perspective: Developing a state-level strategic plan

Asthma is increasingly recognized as a public health priority due to rising incidence rates and high morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. An estimated 320,000 Minnesota adults and approximately 66,000 children have asthma. In 2002, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) implemented a CDC grant creating a state focus for asthma including a surveillance system to better understand the burden of asthma. In 2006, MDH began to revise the “Strategic Plan for Addressing Asthma in Minnesota.” Over 100 people were involved as members of a steering committee and four workgroups: data/surveillance; individual, family, community; health professionals and environment. Based on a review of data and accomplishments over the previous five years, workgroup members identified gaps to be addressed. Goals, objectives and strategies which were based on the NHLBI draft asthma guidelines and were known or showed promise to impact the health of people with asthma were identified. The steering committee, which included the chair of each workgroup and representatives of key partner organizations, consolidated and prioritized information from the workgroups to form the final plan. Individual, community and systems level strategies such as health professional school curriculum, community coalitions, emergency preparedness, parent education, home environmental assessments, and quit smoking programs for caregivers of people with asthma or smokers with asthma were developed. Public policy and communication strategies including use of computerized systems were also identified. Results of an internet survey to assess partner satisfaction, involvement and commitment to implementation of the state plan as well as lesson learned will be shared.