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ABSTRACT: Childhood asthma has reached near-epidemic levels in the US cities. Innovative strategies to identify children with asthma and prevent asthma morbidity are needed. This study measured asthma outcomes after initiation of an inner-city elementary school health center with a schoolwide focus on asthma detection and treatment. The site was an inner-city elementary school in Minneapolis, Minn. The study design incorporated a pre and post comparison with a longitudinal cohort of children (n = 67) and a cross-sectional cohort of children before (n = 156) and after (n = 114) the intervention. Hospitalization rates for asthma decreased 75% to 80% over the study period. Outpatient visits for care in the absence of asthma symptoms doubled (p < .01), and the percentage of students seeing a specialist for asthma increased (p < .01). Use of peak flow meters, use of asthma care plans, and use of inhalers also improved (p < .01). While no change occurred in school absenteeism, parents reported that their children had less awakening with asthma and that asthma was less disruptive to family plans. This schoolwide intervention that included identification of children with asthma, education, family support, and clinical care using an elementary school health center was effective in improving asthma outcomes for children. (J Sch Health. 2001;71(1):9-16) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the screening program for asthma implemented in inner-city elementary schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Standards for screening; Questionnaire requirements; Implications of screening tests on the prevention of childhood asthma incidence.

Focuses on the risk of being placed in a nursing home for clients receiving home-and community-based (HCB) services. Inadequacy of long-term care financing and delivery system in the United States; Factors resulting to the growth of HCB programs; Predictors of the utilization of nursing homes; Implication of HCB services on the use of nursing home and long-term care costs.

The article offers information on the school-based asthma programs developed to increase knowledge and awareness about the disease in the U.S. Asthma is considered the most common chronic illness of children in the country. It is also the leading cause of school absenteeism making it a particular problem for schools and public health departments. One example of these programs is a school-based asthma curriculum being developed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rationale of the effort is to incorporate asthma education into the traditional school curriculum.