Oral

The prevalence and incidence of asthma has been continually increasing with in the US. High rates of hospitalization, emergency room visits and infrequent prescribing of controller medications indicates the inadequacies of asthma management in the home as well as primary care programs. This study examines the impact of adequate asthma management and preventive care on asthma ER visits. The Immunize LA Kids Coalition was formed in 1999 under the CDC's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Initiative (REACH 2010). It is administered by South Los Angeles Health Projects, a community-based unit of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The Coalition links public and private agencies, providers, and the community to implement strategies to improve immunization up-to-date rates and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities among Latino and African American children in South Los Angeles. Evidence-based interventions include tracking and follow-up with under-immunized children, community outreach and education, media, and improving provider practices.

Session Objectives: • Examine the impact of adequate asthma management and preventive care on asthma ER visits. • Describe controllable factors to prevent acute asthma exacerbations leading to emergency room visits. • Discuss the challenges faced by pregnant/parenting adolescents and teens. • Identify community partners of importance to pregnant/parenting teens and adolescents. • Articulate factors related to poor access to dental care among a SCHIP population • Understand the impact of being enrolled in the SCHIP on access to dental care

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing