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LeConté J. Dill, MPH, Health and Environmental Resource Center, 6301 Third St., San Francisco, CA 94124, 4154684372, ldill@bayviewherc.org, Kathy Thomas-Perry, Community and Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente, 4131 Geary Blvd., 4th Fl., San Francisco, CA 94118, Karen Cohn, MS, CIH, Occupational and Environmental Health Section, Children’s Environmental Health Promotion Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1390 Market Street, #230, San Francisco, CA 94102, and Beth Saiki, MPH, American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties, 2171 Juniperro Serra Blvd., Ste. 720, Daly City, CA 94014.
The San Francisco Asthma Task Force (ATF) emerged in May 2001 from the collaboration of community activists, public health professionals, and elected officials outraged by the asthma epidemic, and related health disparities, in the city and county of San Francisco. It is the only known legislated task force of its kind in the country, charged by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to develop a citywide strategic plan to manage and prevent asthma. In developing its strategic plan, the ATF embarked on an extensive needs assessment process—conducting 14 focus groups, 40 key informant interviews, and a broad literature review. The ATF convened several working retreats during the strategic planning process, and consolidated their findings among four key areas: environment, clinical care, schools, and community. The ATF released its “Strategic Plan on Asthma” in July 2003, at a hearing before the Board of Supervisors. The ATF is currently pursuing implementation of the recommendations outlined in the strategic plan. So far, the ATF has helped to pass a resolution with the Board of Education, requiring asthma action plans for all students with asthma and asthma emergency protocols in all classrooms. The legislated nature of the ATF has garnered this coalition political, media, and community buy-in, and helped move its strategic plan from theory to praxis.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Asthma, Coalition
Related Web page: www.dph.sf.ca.us/cehp/Asthma/index.htm
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment