A novel asthma camp intervention for childhood asthma among urban blacks. The Pediatric Lung Committee of the American Lung Association of the District of Columbia (ALADC) Washington, DC.

S. B. Fitzpatrick, Steven Scott Coughlin, J. Chamberlin

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18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Following a needs assessment, the American Lung Association of the District of Columbia (ALADC) began a 3-year pilot program (1986 to 1989) to improve the health status of 5- to 10-year-old urban black asthmatic children. The authors hypothesized that participation in a 1-day asthma camp curriculum, using a collaborative multidisciplinary team approach between university and community-based staff, would provide an effective educational intervention to teach children and their families daily management strategies for asthma. The 84 participants (mean age: 9.6 years) were predominantly black (93%), male (73%), and from single-parent or single-guardian homes (52.7%). Follow-up interviews suggested that a high percentage of the children were using new techniques such as aerosol/inhalers (78%) and breathing/warm-up exercises (55%). Overall, participation in this novel program was associated with a clinically significant, 36% to 69% reduction in school absences, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)233-237
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the National Medical Association
Volume84
Issue number3
StatePublished - Mar 1 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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