The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61601

David L. Nuņez, MD, MPH¹, Gail E. Kennedy, MPH², Eileen Yamada, MD, MPH³, Maridee A. Gregory, MD⁴, Rick Kreutzer, MD⁵, Thomas E. Novotny, MD, MPH², and Rachel Zerbo, MPH⁶. (1) Chief, California Asthma Public Health Initiative, California Department of Health Services, Chronic Diseases Control Branch, 601 North 7th Street, P.O. Box 042732, MS 253, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (2) University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 508, San Francisco, CA 94105, (3) California Department of Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Branch, 714 P Street, 7th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, (4) Children's Medical Services, Department of Health Services, 1515 K Street, Suite 400, P.O. Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (5) Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1700, Oakland, CA 94612, (6) Childhood Asthma Initiative, California Department of Health Services, 601 North 7th Street, MS 253, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916 327-0960, rzerbo@dhs.ca.gov

Purpose: The Childhood Asthma Initiative, conducted by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS), addresses asthma in underserved children, age 0-5 years. The goals of this program are to decrease asthma morbidity and to improve the quality of life for children with asthma and their families. Efforts focus on improving the delivery, quality, and coordination of services for young children with asthma and their families. Methods: Three branches of CDHS implemented the program. The Chronic Disease Control Branch coordinates community-specific interventions, including asthma coordinator services, in eight regions throughout California. The Children's Medical Services Branch provides asthma treatment services for uninsured and underinsured children in three of these communities and developed asthma assessment and management guidelines for providers. The Environmental Health Investigations Branch surveyed directors and staff at 1,250 California childcare centers for asthma policies and practices. Results: All eight communities have established broad asthma partnerships and conducted asthma awareness and education campaigns. To date, over 1,400 children have been enrolled in the program and received health care and support services. 5,200 health care providers serving approximately 1.4 million-low-income children now conduct asthma assessments through the Child Health and Disability Prevention program. Educational materials were developed and disseminated to improve awareness and reduce environmental triggers of asthma in childcare centers. Guidance is being offered to improve asthma environmental and management policies in childcare centers. Conclusions: This multi-faceted statewide asthma program is effective in decreasing morbidity and improving the quality of life for young children with asthma.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to:
• Describe the goals, objectives and components of the California Asthma Initiative and
• List the services provided to children under age 5 years with asthma in California.

Keywords: Asthma, Children With Special Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.