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Children's hospital boston community Asthma initiative: partnerships and outcomes advance policy change

Susan J Sommer1, Lisa Mannix Queenin, Shari Nethersole

  • 1Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, USA.

Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action
|November 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Comprehensive asthma programs effectively reduce disparities in poorly controlled asthma among low-income children. Innovative payment models, supported by strong evidence and community coalitions, are crucial for sustainable, cost-effective pediatric asthma care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Equity

Background:

  • Disparities in poorly controlled asthma persist among low-income children, particularly racial and ethnic minorities.
  • Comprehensive asthma programs have shown success in reducing these disparities.
  • Sustainable payment models for such programs are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the Children's Hospital Boston's Community Asthma Initiative (CAI) on hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
  • To assess the return on investment (ROI) of the CAI program.
  • To explore the role of program outcomes and coalition efforts in influencing healthcare policy and payment models.

Main Methods:

  • The study focused on the outcomes of the Community Asthma Initiative (CAI) at Children's Hospital Boston.
  • Analysis included hospitalization and emergency department visit rates for African American and Latino patients.
  • Return on investment (ROI) was calculated to demonstrate program value.

Main Results:

  • The CAI program achieved significant reductions in hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
  • A notable return on investment (ROI) of 1.46 was demonstrated.
  • Program success and coalition advocacy led to legislative approval of a bundled payment pilot for high-risk pediatric asthma patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cost-effective, comprehensive asthma programs present an opportunity for new pediatric asthma care payment approaches.
  • Policy maker interest in innovative payment models is growing.
  • Community coalitions demonstrating program outcomes and a strong business case can influence policy for innovative financing strategies in asthma care.
Abstract

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