title: Effectiveness of educational and behavioral asthma interventions.
abstract: In this article we discuss studies of individualized and community-based interventions for control of asthma in children. We posit that successful programs share 8 common characteristics: (1) recognition of the multiple factors affecting childhood asthma; (2) careful assessment of participants' risk factors and needs; (3) tailoring of program elements to address participants' risk factors and needs; (4) consideration of both physical and social environments; (5) use of sound learning and change theories; (6) family involvement; (7) focus on children with the most serious disease; and (8) selection of delivery venues at which learning can be optimized. Challenges for moving practice and research forward also are presented.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Center for Managing Chronic Disease, 109 Observatory St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. nmclark@umich.edu
authors.forename: Noreen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Herman E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rand
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003153:Community Health Services; D019058:Community Networks; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens