These counties are on both sides of the state line of Missouri and Kansas. Our initial activity included the development of a resource manual to match resources with needs for asthma and help reduce duplication of services.
The coalition has offered a workshop yearly to help educate nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers and others in the latest asthma information equipping them to be better resources for their patients.
The coalition initially was formed in 2003. It has brought together numerous key players in both Asthma and COPD in the Greater Kansas City Area. As with many coalitions, we have struggled. Changes in personnel, lack of funding and loss of momentum have been issues. Within the past 6 months, several new players have joined the effort. New life has been breathed into the coalition. We are reforming and refocusing.