The mission of the Dane County Asthma Coalition is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with asthma in Dane County, and to decrease the disproportionate burden of asthma in racial or ethnic, and low-income populations.
Local Coalition Description: The Dane County Asthma Coalition has been in existence for more than three years. Twenty-five individuals actively participate in the coalition by attending regular monthly meetings; however, the roster for the coalition is approximately 60. The coalition was formed to support individuals with asthma in Dane County. Dane County has a population of 426,526 (2000 census) and is located in the south-central part of Wisconsin. Both private and public representatives are on the coalition. These members represent Dean Health System, St. Mary’s Hospital, Group Health Cooperative, UW Health, UW Hospital and Clinics, American Family Children’s Hospital, Meriter Hospital, Stoughton Hospital, Dane County Head Start, Public Health Madison and Dane County, State Department of Health Services Asthma Program, Madison Metropolitan School District, UW School of Pharmacy, pharmaceutical representatives, and parents of children with asthma. The lead organization for the coalition is UW Hospitals and Clinics/American Family Children’s Hospital. The Dane County Asthma Coalition has developed an asthma treatment program for emergency departments in Dane County including prescribing a controller medication. The Coalition is in the process of providing childcare provider education about asthma including handouts and a power point presentation.