Asthma Control Program

Mission

The Asthma Control Program works to provide leadership to improve health outcomes of all Rhode Islanders with asthma. Work includes increasing access to quality health care, asthma education, community resources, and services. In addition, the program addresses environmental determinants by advocating for healthy environments where people with asthma live, work, learn, and play. The Asthma State Plan addresses all persons with asthma regardless of age, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic area. Specific target populations include: Hispanic and black non-Hispanic children, Medicaid recipients, and children and adults of low income residing in the core cities (with a special focus on the City of Providence). These target groups were chosen based on current data and available resources in order to reduce disparities among populations disproportionately affected by asthma.

2012 Accomplishments and Milestones

  • HARP was included in the New England Asthma Innovation Collaborative. The Collaborative, led by the Asthma Regional Council of New England, will work jointly with HEALTH, Hasbro Children's Hospital, and St. Joseph's Health Services to expand HARP to include a targeted total of 502 children with asthma through 2015.
  • The number of asthma patients in the RI Chronic Care Collaborative registry increased from 2332 in 2011 to 4441 in 2012.
  • The Breathe Easy at Home Program expanded to the city of Woonsocket. The cities of Providence and Pawtucket also participate in the program.
  • 79 pediatric patients and their families received asthma home visits through the Home Asthma Response Program (HARP).

Funding

Since 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the Asthma Control Program with financial support and expert guidance through a cooperative agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Community Partners

The Program works closely with the Rhode Island Asthma Control Coalition and the Healthy Housing Collaborative to help people with asthma manage their disease. The Asthma Control Coalition is comprised of 45 members from 37 organizations participating on workgroups to address asthma in the areas of Clinical Care, Healthy Housing, Schools, and Public Education.

Projects

Breathe Easy at Home

A innovative pilot project to diagnose and control asthma triggers in the home of children with asthma in select core cities. (more)