Factors affecting asthma hospitalization rates in rural Vermont

Background: Asthma has become a serious chronic disease affecting both children and adults. In 2004, the prevalence of asthma in the United States was 20.5 million people, causing an estimated 14 million lost school days for children and 14.5 million lost work days for adults. Those with this disease incur annual health care costs of $16 billion dollars. Asthma is ranked as one of the top ten prevalent conditions that can lead to impaired activity levels for its sufferers. In Vermont, approximately 10 percent of adults and 8 percent of children have been diagnosed with asthma. The 2008 Vermont Asthma Plan, a collaborative effort between community and statewide partners, identified a specific geographic area in the state as having the highest rate of hospitalizations for asthma, 17.5 per 10,000 versus 6.9 per 10,000 for the entire state. A community stakeholder group is working to gather additional information to improve asthma management and self-care, thereby decreasing hospitalization rates.

Methods/Results: This presentation will focus on an assessment of factors that identify why this geographic area is experiencing such high asthma hospitalization rates. This is a quantitative descriptive study that will explore the demographic, environmental and health system variables that comprise the population that receives services through the local community hospital.

Conclusions: Data results will provide an understanding of factors that contribute to increased hospitalization rates for asthma patients. Results will aid in planning of services by community health providers and district health department.