We are a group of collaborating researchers specializing in improving asthma care. This program began with a project to implement an asthma improvement program for Navajo children, and has now expanded to make the resources we gathered and developed available to all who might benefit from them.
What is the burden of asthma among Native American children? Why is this needed?
What is the format of the program?
School Program: In the implementation project, we implemented the Open Airways For Schools® program from the American Lung Association. Open Airways For Schools is the most widely recognized asthma management program for children and a proven, effective way to improve asthma self-management skills, decrease asthma emergencies and raise asthma awareness. The program teaches children with asthma how to detect the warning signs of an asthma attack, avoid their triggers and make decisions about their health. Second, we provided Asthma 101™ training to school staff to help them better understand asthma and what to do if a child has asthma symptoms at school. Finally, where possible we worked with health care providers to asthma medication to schools so children with asthma will always have access to quick relief medication.
Health Care Provider Training: In the implementation project, we worked with clinic doctors and staff in Navajo Nation to improve assessment, diagnosis and management of asthma. This training includes providing the proper tools for assessment, such as spirometry lung function, as well as training to interpret spirometric data. Training was tailored to suit the needs of each clinic, and generally will involve the following:
- A 90-minute online training in best practices;
- A half-day, in-person training with hands-on spirometry; and
- A follow-up in clinics by our nurse educators, who will help troubleshoot implementation problems and barriers.
Who are the researchers?
Our team brings together physicians, behavioral health experts, social scientists, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists from the University of Arizona, National Jewish Health (a respiratory hospital in Denver, CO), Colorado Children’s Hospital, the University of Michigan, and the University of Utah.
Who is funding the study?
The original Community Asthma Program project was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, for implementation on the Navajo Nation.
1 Brim SN, et al. Pediatrics. 2008;122(1):e217-222; Mehal JM, et al. Chest. 014;146(3):624-632; Navajo Epidemiology Center. Navajo Nation Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011