Asthma Care Plan/Action Plan

The community health improvement (CHI) process brings together health care, public health, and other stakeholders to identify and address the health needs of communities—because working together has a greater impact on health and economic vitality than working alone.

Below are examples—organized by initiative type—of how hospitals have successfully engaged in collaborative, innovative work to improve the health of their patients and others in their communities. Hospitals are not doing this work alone; they are addressing critical health issues with public health, social services, and other partners in their communities. Several hospitals initiated these activities as a result of findings from their community health needs assessments (CHNAs). Many undertook community-based initiatives to address the needs of patients who are often clustered geographically and who interact frequently with the healthcare system (super utilizers).

Several of these examples are cutting edge initiatives that are demonstrating promising early results. A few can be found in the CHI Navigator Database of Interventions . Most of these examples highlight the impact of this kind of work on the financial bottom line, which is important as the health care system moves to value-based payments.

How Can We Be of Service?

• Bringing training directly to your staff and tribal community with our on-site Circuit-Rider Program.
• Providing support for your specific tribal needs with Technical Assistance.
• Linking your department with others who can help your program achieve its goals.
• Providing Culturally-Relevant Educational Materials for your community.
• Connecting your tribe with access to Indoor Air Monitoring Equipment.
• Connecting your tribe to Funding Opportunities.
• Conducting pilot and demonstration projects in your community with our Research-to-Practice Program.
• Connecting you with tribes that are implementing a Mold and Moisture Program.

Materials and literature include: 

Healthy Home Heritage Coloring, Activity & Sticker Book

• Join the beaver kits, Aspen and Birch, as they visit their grandbeaver's lodge and help them assess it for health hazards. While looking over the home, they learn the importance of a home's environment on the health of its occupants as well as learn about the unique American Indian heritage of honoring one's home and environment. This 25-page coloring and activity book is made for kids of all ages with lots of activities, puzzles and games. (Click here for ordering information)

Help Yourself to a Healthy Home 

• This 58-page booklet describes many of the hidden dangers to the health of home occupants, both children and adults. The booklet includes sections on: indoor air quality, drinking water, home safety, asthma & allergies, mold & moisture, carbon monoxide, lead, hazardous household products, and pesticides. In addition, the Native American edition of the booklet features descriptions, drawings and photos of the nine traditional Native home types found in the United States.
  (Click here for ordering information.)

• Montana State University Extension, Housing & Environmental Health Program This MSU program features many publications, resources and materials on varied topics that can be used for personal or professional purposes including: home indoor air quality, home energy, home improvement, healthy homes, and Tribal programs resources. (Click here for ordering information.) 

• Easy, Low-Cost, Non-Toxic Household Cleaners A recipe sheet of non-toxic cleaners that are easy to make with just a few ingredients commonly found in the home and that can be used every day. (Click here for sheet.)