Campus Community Partnerships to Reduce Asthma Burden in a Local Community

Authors: Grace Donnelly, Arinola Ajagbe, Margaret Furman, Doris Gan, Hayden Marin, Jessica Ngo, Allison Pham, Jennie Po, Stephanie Ray-Offor

Field of Study: Health and Wellness

Faculty Mentors: Judith Quaranta, Rosa Darling

Easel: 67

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Avoidable ER visits due to asthma stress an overburdened healthcare system. Shortened primary care visits, appointment delays, and lack of access related to insurance leave minimal opportunity for asthma education. Community partnerships between Nursing Schools, community organizations, and local schools can address this need to improve health outcomes for a community. Undergraduate students are certified by ALA as program facilitators to provide asthma education in schools. Through this training, students acquire community and population health skills, and develop a broader asthma education framework to achieve a greater reach for children and youth with asthma. 368 undergraduate students have been trained since Spring 2015. >700 children received asthma education throughout 15 school districts and two Head Start Centers. Previous research demonstrates improved asthma knowledge from these interventions.Campus-Community partnerships can address gaps in care related to social determinants to improve asthma outcomes.