The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50203

Lawrence Robinson, MD, MPH and Jerome H. Libby, MA. Division of Health Promotion, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 1101 Market Street, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-685-5350, Larry.Robinson@Phila.gov

Although advancements have been made in the treatment and management of asthma, asthma morbidity and mortality have continued to increase since 1979. No simple solutions have been found.

This panel presentation will explore the Philadelphia experience with coalition building as an approach to addressing this public health challenge. Panelists will include representatives of each of the four partnerships.

The Philadelphia Asthma Task Force was convened by the Division of Health Promotion of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. It brings together representatives of a broad range of medical centers, educational institutions, governmental and private health and community agencies, and varied disciplines, to address the problem.

To facilitate program development (primarily educational) the American Lung Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania convened the Attack Asthma Task Force, again bringing together a broad range of membership and focusing on asthma management training, patient education materials, and public awareness programs.

Following the announcement of the Robert Wood Johnson Allies Against Asthma initiative, the Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition was assembled, with 40 community groups, academic institutions, health systems, managed care organizations, public school and health programs to launch a campaign to enhance asthma care.

Growing interest in the Federal Region III offices of EPA and HHS in pursuing development of a regional coalition of stakeholder groups throughout Region III resulted in the development of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Asthma Initiative (MARAI).

Presentations will include discussions of current program activities of the several coalitions, as well as discussion of issues of overlap, potential conflicts in effort, etc.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant in the session will be able to (
• discuss four models of partnership/task force structures applicable to public health problems; (
• discuss four approaches to definition of partnership geographic service/interest areas; (
• Identify three factors/app;roaches relevent to avoiding conflict in multiple partnership situations.

Keywords: Partnerships, Asthma

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: No commercial organizations or institutions will be included in the discussion. No commercial products or services will be discussed.
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.