Asthma in New York City: Individual and Community-Based Approaches to Prevention and Management

Marilyn Iris Auerbach, Dr.P.H., Associate Professor
  and Coordinator, Community Health Education Track,
  Urban Public Health Program, School of Health Sciences,
  Hunter College

In the United States the number of asthma sufferers had more than doubled from 6.7 million persons in 1980 to an estimated 17.3 in 1998.  Of these 4.8 million are children. Increased rates of asthma in the United States have been reflected in urban environments including  New York City. Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization for children in  New York City. In 1996 there were 15 thousand hospitalizations for asthma in children 14 years old and younger. Asthma is a major public health problem which generates direct and indirect medical, economic and other societal costs.

Historically, healthcare practitioners have provided patient-centered asthma education focusing on compliance with medical regimens.  This approach, while imparting knowledge, has had limited success in managing the disease and encouraging family and community understanding and support. During the past decade there has been a focus on building asthma partnerships which recognize the expertise of patients, their families, schools and places of employment, community-based agencies, the health care system, volunteer agencies and the Department of Health. Successful asthma interventions have placed greater emphasis on the need for  improved management and self-empowerment skills as well as targeted health messages and campaigns. These linkages and community coalitions have led to maximizing of resources and long term health improvements.