The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) was initiated in March 1989 to address the growing problem of asthma in the United States. The NAEPP is administered and coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NAEPP works with intermediaries including major medical associations, voluntary health organizations, and community programs to educate patients, health professionals, and the public. The ultimate goal of the NAEPP is to enhance the quality of life for patients with asthma and decrease asthma-related morbidity and mortality.
The Goals of the NAEPP include:
Raise awareness of patients, health professionals, and the public that asthma is a serious chronic disease.
Ensure the recognition of the symptoms of asthma by patients, families, and the public and the appropriate diagnosis by health professionals.
Ensure effective control of asthma by encouraging a partnership among patients, physicians, and other health professionals through modern treatment and education programs.
To accomplish these broad program goals, the NAEPP works with intermediaries including major medical associations, voluntary health organizations, and community programs to educate patients, health professionals, and the public. The ultimate goal of the NAEPP is to enhance the quality of life for patients with asthma and decrease asthma-related morbidity and mortality.
NAEPP Objectives For Patients and the Public
Increase public awareness of asthma as a significant public health problem.
Increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of asthma.
Improve the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of patients regarding the detection, treatment, and control of asthma, particularly in high-risk populations.
Define guidelines for effective asthma education programs.
Promote development, dissemination, and use of patient and family education materials.
For Health Professionals
Increase knowledge, attitudes, and skills of all health professionals regarding signs, symptoms, and management strategies for asthma.
Encourage health professionals treating patients with asthma to adequately track and monitor patient status and to use objective measures of lung function.
Assist and encourage health professional schools and continuing education programs to include up-to-date and accurate information on diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of patients with asthma.
Promote and encourage the concept of active patient participation with the physician in the management of asthma.
Develop resources and materials for use by health professionals.
Promote research to answer unresolved questions about underlying causes of asthma and appropriate asthma treatment and management practices.