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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cindy Shufflebarger, MPH, RD¹, Susan Garnett, RN¹, Ryan Ehrensberger, MPH², Ashley Cunningham, BS², and Adrienne E. Keller, PhD³. (1) CARMA, Bon Secours Richmond Hospital System, 2025 E. Main Street, Suite 207, Richmond, VA 23223, (2) CARMA, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, 2025 East Main St., Suite 207, Richmond, VA 23223, 804-644-2149, rehrensberger@carmakids.org, (3) Prevention Research, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800623, Charlottesville, VA 22908

The Central Virginia Asthma Coalition (CVAC) was created by community members to address high asthma morbidity in the Richmond area. In 2001, CVAC received a multi-year grant from the CDC as part of the Controlling Asthma in American Cities Project. Controlling Asthma in the Richmond Metropolitan Area (CARMA) is managed by one of CVAC's participating organizations, Bon Secours Richmond Health System. CARMA's nutritionist established a collaborative relationship with the school system to offer an innovative program, AsthmaFIT, as part of the school-based after-school care program for children aged 8-12. AsthmaFIT, led by a two trained lay instructors following a detailed teaching guide, comprises six one-hour session. Interactive games teach about asthma, good nutrition and exercise. During these games and immediately after, children are encouraged to ask questions regarding asthma, good nutrition and exercise. Movement games are used to teach the importance of exercise. Children are given a weekly nutritional challenge (i.e., drinking the appropriate amount of water). AsthmaFIT is also used as an outreach for CARMA's school-based asthma educational programs for children with asthma. As of February 2006, 310 children, aged 7-13, in 6 schools have completed AsthmaFIT. Approximately 25% self-report having asthma. Pre-post evaluation demonstrates statistically significant changes in several indicators including (among others) correct identification of asthma triggers (F=58.78, p<.001), decrease in reported hours of watching TV (F=10.25, p=.002), agreement that children with asthma can exercise (Χ²=16.5, p=.01). The presentation will describe the collaborative process, the evidence-base and design of AsthmaFIT, and the evaluation evidence of effectiveness.

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