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Colorado Asthma-Friendly Schools: An On-ramp to Implementation Science
Stanley J Szefler1, Melanie Gleason2, Arthur McFarlane3
1Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. in Practice
|August 10, 2026
Summary
This review details the expansion of a school-based asthma program across Colorado, improving chronic disease management for students. It highlights effective school nurse-clinician collaboration to enhance care for children with asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Implementation Science
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Schools are critical settings for child health interventions.
- School nurses manage many childhood chronic diseases, including asthma.
- Asthma management has evolved with new treatments like biologics and combination inhalers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of an urban school-based asthma program.
- To describe its expansion into rural Colorado school districts.
- To share implementation strategies and lessons learned.
Main Methods:
- Applying principles of implementation science.
- Scaling a school-based asthma program.
- Leveraging school-healthcare system partnerships.
Main Results:
- Successful program expansion across multiple school districts.
- Identification of key steps for program growth and dissemination.
- Lessons learned from scaling the program in diverse settings.
Conclusions:
- Effective school nurse-clinician interaction is vital for optimal chronic disease care.
- School-based programs can improve care networks for children with poorly controlled asthma.
- Implementation science principles facilitate program scalability and reach.