Asthma Prevention and Control

 

This page is under construction. More information coming soon! Asthma in the urban environment is a serious problem, and nationally it remains a primary cause of preventable hospitalization in children. In response to residents’ concern about rising asthma rates in their communities, the Boston Public Health Commission's created the Asthma Prevention and Control Program in 1998.  The program operates a number of initiatives to help children and families manage the symptoms of and the environmental contributors to asthma.
	Through the asthma home visiting program, BPHC staff provides an In home evaluation to help Boston families identify conditions in the home that can trigger asthma symptoms.
	The Kids With Asthma Can offers swimming lessons and asthma control education to eligible children in Boston.
	Training and Education Asthma Program staff are available to provide training and education to parent and consumer groups who are impacted by the disease of asthma. Staff are available to participate in health fairs and other social and cultural events throughout the City of Boston. Also, the Boston Public Health Commission's Community Health Education Center (CHEC) (617) 534-5181 conducts several asthma-related training initiatives, including training of front-line health workers across the state, and the emphasis on asthma and lead poisoning prevention in the Children's Environmental Health Module.
	Asthma Statistics Each year the Boston Public Health Commission's Research Office produces the Health of Boston Report. This is a comprehensive data report about the health of Boston's neighborhoods and residents. Asthma hospitalization and mortality data is presented by neighborhood, sex, and age. This information is available to residents, health agencies and community organizations.  Asthma disproportionately affects African-american and Latino populations and tends to be more prevalent in certain neighborhoods, in particular Roxbury, North and South Dorchester and Mattapan.
	Asthma Home Visiting Programs If you live in the City of Boston and have asthma, you may be eligible to receive a free home visit by a trained staff person. People with asthma often find that their symptoms are triggered by things in the home environment, like mold.  There are many things that you can do in your home to reduce the effects of indoor asthma triggers. The home visitor will also look for ways to reduce the risk lead poisoning and childhood injury and assist you in accessing available resources for home remediation. The asthma home visitor will also review your symptoms and medications with you using an Asthma Control Checklist.
	Kids With Asthma Can…Swim After-school swimming and asthma education program for children ages 8-12 with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participants are taught swimming skills, learn about their asthma triggers, and develop techniques for controlling their asthma. Kids With Asthma Can Swim is a free program and takes place in select Boston Community Centers.
One of the Commission’s partners in the effort to help those with asthma is the New England Asthma Regional Council.  Use this link to access their website and publications: www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK? If you or child is having asthma attack call 9-1-1. The trained staff of Boston Emergency Medical Services will respond to your call immediately.