August 2007
 |
|
|
:: Archives :: Publications :: News Room :: Research :: PDF Version Research In her own words Gratitudes This month's scoop |
|
 |
|
Investing in asthma education
Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization at Children's Hospital Boston and its rates in New England are among the highest in the nation. But some of the best ways to improve asthma outcomes—education and home interventions—are often not covered by insurance. To help resolve this problem, Children's partnered with the Asthma Regional Council (ARC) to make an economic case for investing in asthma prevention programs. With the help of researchers at UMass, Lowell (UML), they conducted a study called Investing in Best Practices for Asthma. "We found cost savings across our 20-year review of the published literature from more than $7 for every $1 invested in asthma education to as high as $36 for every $1 invested, says UML researcher Polly Hoppin, PhD. The findings released on July 6, revealing the following:
- Effective asthma education programs can lead to fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations as well as improvements in quality of life and lung function, which can, in turn, result in cost savings.
- Home-based interventions are cost-effective measures that can result in improved health outcomes for patients. During a home intervention, a trainer educates families about environmental factors that trigger asthma (including cockroach or mouse problems, pet dander, mold, poor ventilation and/or uncleanliness). The trainer also educates families by teaching them which cleaning products don't worsen asthma, how to seal off areas that collect moisture and offering allergen-free bed and pillow covers or vacuums.
- Non-physician providers (such as nurses, respiratory therapists, asthma educators and social workers) can provide effective asthma education and environmental interventions, often at a lower cost.
"Studies indicate that current approaches to managing asthma aren't working for a lot of people, says Laurie Stillman, director of the ARC. "This study shows we can improve asthma outcomes in a cost-effective manner if high-risk patients are given education and environmental improvements in the home. The study also calls on multiple sectors, including payers, health provider groups, employers and policymakers to play a role in implementing these programs.
Many of the study's recommendations are contained in legislation, filed this year by the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition (BUAC) and Children's, that would require insurers in Massachusetts to cover asthma education and in-home environmental interventions. At a hearing in May, parents of children with asthma, community health advocates and hospital leaders and clinicians—including Shari Nethersole, MD, medical director for community health, and Susan Sommer, RNC, NP, nurse case manager for the Community Asthma Initiative—testified in support of the bill before the Joint Committee on Public Health. With the study's results to support them, Children's will continue working with its partners to bring about the necessary changes to asthma care. "Too many families, particularly in low-income communities, are struggling needlessly with the effects of asthma, says Lisa Mannix, coordinator of Child Health Policy and Education at Children's. "The evidence accumulated in this business case shows there are interventions that work. It's time for decision-makers to take bold action to implement them on a broader scale.
|
Recently in Children's News |
In other publications |