Advancing asthma management: asthma care education and improved outcomes

According to the American Lung Association, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 15 million to 20 million Americans have asthma. Those numbers include approximately 5 million to 6 million children younger than 18 years of age. Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children, and it is one of the main causes of emergency room visits, inpatient admissions, and school absenteeism, especially among those younger than 15 years of age. In Minnesota, approximately 8% of middle school students have asthma, and another 18% may have the disease. The highest rates are found in the Twin Cities metro area. This article describes an educational program to help physicians make more accurate diagnoses and improve asthma care by providing evidence-based treatment.