Transferring a clinic-based health education program for children with asthma to a school setting

Open Airways is a clinic-based health education program for low income, inner city families of children with asthma. The program was transferred to the public schools to test it in a setting more representative of school-age children with asthma, and to provide health education for families not receiving medical care for asthma. During the transfer, the program changed from placing primary responsibility for management on parents to a child-centered program independent of direct parental involvement. Children's attendance increased greatly and a significant number of families not receiving regular medical care for asthma enrolled. Preliminary analysis showed the child-centered program improved children's school performance and asthma management skills. The findings of this study suggest health education programs designed for medical care settings can be adapted successfully for use in the schools and reach new populations of children with chronic diseases.