Communities are mobilizing across the country to address pediatric asthma. Research findings suggest that pediatric asthma control requires coordination and integration of medical, environmental and public health measures. In 1999, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute each released funds to support community-based coalitions to improve asthma management efforts and to develop new innovations and sustainable strategies. A total of 253 communities submitted letters of intent for a planning grant to the RWJF Allies Against Asthma National Program Office located at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health. Applicants were assessed on key criteria including systems change approaches, target population, planning process, knowledge of coalition development, understanding of pediatric asthma, sustainability and evaluation approaches. Data was also collected from over 500 technical assistance calls from communities throughout the country. Issues identified from these sources and potential approaches to community wide control of asthma will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the particpants will be able to: 1. Recognize the need for mulit-facted approaches regarding pediatric asthma control. 2. Recognize major issues in the work of community based coalitions addressing pediatric asthma control. 3. Describe efforts of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Allies Against Asthma Nationwide Initiative. 4. Describe problems identified through a needs assessment of existing and forming coalitions. 5. Discuss potential approaches to community wide control of asthma
Keywords: Asthma, Coalition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.