The awesome Asthma School Days Program: educating children, inspiring a community.
Program planners developed an educational program to improve the health of children with asthma in grades three to five in Milwaukee (Wis.) Public Schools. During 1997-1998, 1,400 students from 74 elementary schools participated in the Awesome Asthma School Days education program. In a cross-sectional survey, about 40% of children reported play interrupted and sleep disturbed by asthma, more than 50% of children reported exposure to smoke in their home, most children lacked asthma self-care tools, and most children with persistent symptoms did not use an anti-inflammatory inhaler. The educational program improved students' expectations about normal play and sleep and improved their understanding of asthma. Leaders in Milwaukee used the survey results to develop a community action plan. The educational program, surveys, community partnerships, and strategic plans can be replicated in other schools.
Meurer
J R
JR
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA. jmeurer@mcw.edu
McKenzie
S
S
Mischler
E
E
Subichin
S
S
Malloy
M
M
George
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D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003256:Community Participation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D014922:Wisconsin