Analysis of school-based asthma screenings and need for care coordination in underserved urban communities

Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood disease states in the United States and continues to become more prevalent. Data suggest the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of asthma are higher among minority children of lower socioeconomic status living in urban settings. There is a lack of data evaluating the impact of mass school-based asthma screenings and care coordination in underserved communities.

This study aimed to determine whether a school-based asthma screening program is effective in identifying children who are at risk of undiagnosed and uncontrolled asthma and whether there is a need for care coordination.

This study is a retrospective review describing the outcomes of the 2021 school-based asthma screening program. Asthma screening data from 6 participating school districts (prekindergarten to twelfth grade) in the greater Pittsburgh area were included in this review. An asthma screening questionnaire was distributed school-wide and included questions about demographics, previous asthma diagnosis, repeated episodes of asthma, and frequency of symptoms. Based on caregiver-reported answers, children who screened positive for previously diagnosed asthma, uncontrolled asthma, or undiagnosed asthma received care coordination for follow-up care.

This study included asthma screening results for 561 participants. Approximately 13% of participants (n = 73) displayed asthma symptoms but did not have a diagnosis of asthma. Of those 73 participants, 9.6% (n = 54) were at risk of uncontrolled asthma. The screening tool also identified 5.6% of participants (n = 32) who had a diagnosis of asthma and were at risk of uncontrolled asthma.

The school-based asthma screening program was effective in identifying children at risk of undiagnosed and uncontrolled asthma. Pharmacists are well positioned to implement asthma screening programs in schools and throughout the community.