Reducing Childhood Asthma Triggers in Public Housing

Reducing Childhood Asthma Triggers in Public Housing PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 7

Get Book Here

Book Description
There are significant disparities in asthma prevalence and management in New York City (NYC). Children living in the low income, largely minority neighborhood of East Harlem are almost 13 times more likely to have an asthma related emergency department visit compared to children on the Upper East Side, an adjacent high income neighborhood. The disparities in asthma prevalence and control are in part attributable to environmental conditions, including housing, which in low-income communities is often poorly maintained, resulting in mold, pests, and other asthma triggers. Controlling Asthma through Home Remediation (CAHR), a program of LSA Family Health Service (LSAFHS), offers remediation and repair, training, and comprehensive case management to East Harlem families that have children with severe and/or persistent asthma and live in NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing. Preliminary findings, based on pre-post assessments of 60 CAHR children, include statistically significant reductions in nighttime awakenings, emergency department visits, and rescue medication use. There were reductions in daytime asthma symptoms and improvements in household conditions; however, they were not statistically significant. Recognizing the limited reach of individual level services, LSAFHS also advocates for system-wide changes across NYCHA. Citing the Americans with Disabilities Act and its relevance to individuals with asthma, LSAFHS, in partnership with other community-based organizations and public interest attorneys, reached a settlement with NYCHA in 2013 that resulted in policy changes mandating expedited repairs of leaks, mold, and related issues. Monitoring the impact of these changes is ongoing. A hope is for replication of advocacy efforts in other cities.

Reducing Childhood Asthma Triggers in Public Housing

Reducing Childhood Asthma Triggers in Public Housing PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 7

Get Book Here

Book Description
There are significant disparities in asthma prevalence and management in New York City (NYC). Children living in the low income, largely minority neighborhood of East Harlem are almost 13 times more likely to have an asthma related emergency department visit compared to children on the Upper East Side, an adjacent high income neighborhood. The disparities in asthma prevalence and control are in part attributable to environmental conditions, including housing, which in low-income communities is often poorly maintained, resulting in mold, pests, and other asthma triggers. Controlling Asthma through Home Remediation (CAHR), a program of LSA Family Health Service (LSAFHS), offers remediation and repair, training, and comprehensive case management to East Harlem families that have children with severe and/or persistent asthma and live in NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing. Preliminary findings, based on pre-post assessments of 60 CAHR children, include statistically significant reductions in nighttime awakenings, emergency department visits, and rescue medication use. There were reductions in daytime asthma symptoms and improvements in household conditions; however, they were not statistically significant. Recognizing the limited reach of individual level services, LSAFHS also advocates for system-wide changes across NYCHA. Citing the Americans with Disabilities Act and its relevance to individuals with asthma, LSAFHS, in partnership with other community-based organizations and public interest attorneys, reached a settlement with NYCHA in 2013 that resulted in policy changes mandating expedited repairs of leaks, mold, and related issues. Monitoring the impact of these changes is ongoing. A hope is for replication of advocacy efforts in other cities.

A Community Health Worker Model to Address Childhood Asthma

A Community Health Worker Model to Address Childhood Asthma PDF Author: Lillian Jin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : East Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Languages : en
Pages : 20

Get Book Here

Book Description
In 1997, Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service (Little Sisters) established the Environmental Health Services program in response to high rates of asthma among East Harlem children. The program provides a continuum of services meant to mitigate the negative effects of poor living conditions on asthma-related health outcomes. Led by a team of community health workers (CHWs), program activities include assessments of the home environment, hands-on training and education on safe and effective ways to address unhealthy living conditions, and advocacy services for tenants to get necessary repairs form housing management. In 2011, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Little Sisters began implementation of Controlling Asthma through Home Remediation (CAHR), a demonstration of their program model, specifically targeting families living in public housing. The demonstration included an evaluation of the program by The New York Academy of Medicine (the Academy) -- findings included statistically significant reductions in nighttime awakenings, emergency department visits, and use of rescue medications. As part of the evaluation, a sample of 17 caregivers participated in interviews, with questions that focused on their perception of program quality, impact, and lessons learned. As described in this report, caregivers noted that CHWs helped them to develop knowledge and skills to reduce household asthma triggers; in addition, CHWs and Little Sisters proved to be influential advocates, facilitating the settlement of complaints with housing management. As New York State and local health care systems adopt and promote more community-based health problems, CAHR represents a promising example of an intervention that can produce improvements in asthma-related health outcomes, while supporting grassroots efforts to create changes in policies and practice.

Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States

Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States PDF Author: Marielena Lara
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833032429
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 114

Get Book Here

Book Description
One-liner: A set of policy recommendations to promote the development and maintenance of communities in which children with asthma can be swiftly diagnosed, effectively treated, and protected from exposure to harmful environmental factors. An estimated 5 million U.S. children have asthma. Too many of these children are unnecessarily impaired. Much of the money spent on asthma is for high-cost health care services to treat acute periods of illness. Many asthma attacks could be avoided--and much suffering prevented and many medical costs saved--if more children received good-quality, ongoing asthma care and if the 11 policy recommendations presented in this report were implemented in a oordinated fashion. A national call to action, the policy recommendations span public and private interests and compel integration of public health activities across local, state, and federal levels. This report summarizes the findings of an effort funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as part of the Pediatric Asthma Initiative, whose purpose is to address current gaps in national childhood asthma care. It is the first national initiative that simultaneously addresses treatment, policy, and financing issues for children with asthma at the patient, provider, and institutional levels. The purpose of RAND's effort was to:--identify a range of policy actions in both the public and private sectors that could improve childhood asthma outcomes nationwide--select a subset of policies to create a blueprint for national policy in this area--outline alternatives to implement these policies that build on prior efforts.The effort developed a comprehensive policy framework that maps the identified strategies to one overall policy objective: to promote the development and maintenance of asthma-friendly communities--communities in which children with asthma are swiftly diagnosed, receive appropriate and ongoing treatment, and are not exposed to environmental factors that exacerbate their condition. This report is intended as a working guide for coordinating the activities of both public and private organizations at the federal, state, and local community levels.

Clearing the Air

Clearing the Air PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309064961
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 457

Get Book Here

Book Description
Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma. Recent studies have suggested that indoor exposuresâ€"to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutantsâ€"may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures. Clearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthmaâ€"its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.

Ethical Considerations for Research on Housing-Related Health Hazards Involving Children

Ethical Considerations for Research on Housing-Related Health Hazards Involving Children PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309164923
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ethical Considerations for Research on Housing-Related Health Hazards Involving Children explores the ethical issues posed when conducting research designed to identify, understand, or ameliorate housing-related health hazards among children. Such research involves children as subjects and is conducted in the home and in communities. It is often conducted with children in low-income families given the disproportionate prevalence of housing-related conditions such as lead poisoning, asthma, and fatal injuries among these children. This book emphasizes five key elements to address the particular ethical concerns raised by these characteristics: involving the affected community in the research and responding to their concerns; ensuring that parents understand the essential elements of the research; adopting uniform federal guidelines for such research by all sponsors (Subpart D of 45 CFR 46); providing guidance on key terms in the regulations; and viewing research oversight as a system with important roles for researchers, IRBs and their research institutions, sponsors and regulators of research, and the community.

Asthma Facts

Asthma Facts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 2

Get Book Here

Book Description
Asthma is a chronic disease that is associated with poor housing conditions. This disease is disproportionately prevalent among residents of public housing. Among the major contributors to asthma in public housing units are environmental factors "triggers," such as indoor allergens caused by pest infestations.

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309091934
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 369

Get Book Here

Book Description
Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.

Asthma: Physiology, Immunopharmacology, and Treatment

Asthma: Physiology, Immunopharmacology, and Treatment PDF Author: Karl Frank Austen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description


Collaboration Between Health Care and Public Health

Collaboration Between Health Care and Public Health PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309374499
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 105

Get Book Here

Book Description
On February 5, 2015, the Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Population Health Improvement hosted a workshop to explore the relationship between public health and health care, including opportunities, challenges, and practical lessons. The workshop was convened in partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)-Supported Primary Care and Public Health Collaborative. Organized in response to the 2012 IOM report Primary Care and Public Health: Exploring Integration to Improve Population Health, this workshop focused on current issues at the interface of public health and health care, including opportunities presented by and lessons learned from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services State Innovation Models program. The workshop featured presentations on several dimensions of the public health-health care relationship. Collaboration Between Health Care and Public Health summarizes the presentations and discussion of the event.

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations for 2002

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations for 2002 PDF Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 972

Get Book Here

Book Description