title: An Electronic Asthma Self-Management Intervention for Young African American Adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health disparities are seen in many chronic conditions including asthma. Young African American adults represent a population at high risk for poor asthma outcomes due to both their minority status and the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood. Recruitment and retention has been challenging in this demographic stratum, and traditional asthma education is often not feasible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to develop and assess the feasibility of an electronic asthma self-management program for young African American adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 44 African American adults (age 18-30 years) with uncontrolled persistent asthma were enrolled in an asthma self-management program. The 6-week Breathe Michigan program (predicated on the social cognitive theory) was tailored specifically to the concerns and preferences of young African American adults. The entire program was completed electronically, without any specialized human support. At 2 weeks and 3 months after program completion, participants were contacted for follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 89% of enrolled subjects completed the 6-week intervention, and 77% were available for evaluation at 3 months. All subjects completing the 2-week postprogram survey reported that the program was helpful, and 97% would recommend it to others. Asthma control as measured by the Asthma Control Test improved from 16.1 to 19.3 (P < .01), and asthma quality of life as measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire improved from 4.0 to 5.1 (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Breathe Michigan program is feasible for recruitment and retention, and demonstrated an improvement in asthma control and quality of life for young African American adults.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
authors.forename: Aimee L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Speck
authors.affiliation: School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. Electronic address: abaptist@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Alan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Baptist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; African American; Asthma; Asthma education; Asthma self-management; Computer; Electronic; Health disparities; Health information technology; Young adult