Massachusetts Asthma Prevention and Control Program

Using surveillance data, MDPH has identified four priority populations for its program representing those groups most at risk for asthma hospitalization. (1) Children ages 0-4 (highest rates of hospitalization, observation stays, and Emergency Department (ED) visits of any age group). (2) Blacks and Hispanics (3-4 times the rates of hospitalization, observation stays, and ED visits as Caucasians); (3) Adults ages 65 and up (hospitalization rates higher than the statewide average, second only to children); (4) Residents of several regions with substantially higher ED and hospitalization rates than the statewide average.

Funded by the CDC's National Asthma Control Program, MDPH has the the goal of reducing the asthma hospitalization rate by at least 9% of the 2002 baseline rate by 2009. The Asthma Prevention and Control Program accomplishes this goal by 1) conducting asthma surveillance, 2) working with statewide and regional partnerships, 3) using regulatory, education, and training interventions to reduce exposures in homes, licensed child-care centers, schools, workplaces, and councils on aging and 4) improving disease management by increasing the number of health care sites using evidence-based clinical guidelines and supporting the use of child and adult Asthma Action Plans.