UTHSCT receives the National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management from the EPA
May 1, 2020
Observing Asthma Awareness Month, EPA Honors Leading Community Asthma Care Programs in Texas and Colorado
Today, in celebration of Asthma Awareness Month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will honor two outstanding asthma care programs, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in Tyler, Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado Breathing Institute in Aurora, Colorado, with the National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management. Among the nation’s highest honors for programs helping families bring asthma under control, this award recognizes health programs for excellent environmental asthma management.
“Asthma is a public health, economic and environmental issue that can deeply impact families and touches entire communities,” said EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation Anne Idsal. “More than ever, we cherish the opportunity to thank medical professionals, and we congratulate these innovative programs for supporting their communities, especially during this difficult time.”
The EPA is committed to reducing the national burden of asthma by implementing a multifaceted program comprised of research, regulatory measures and non-regulatory community-based technical assistance, outreach and education campaigns. As technical experts on buildings and public health, the EPA is uniquely positioned to create connections across the health, housing and environmental sectors to address environmental asthma triggers and manage asthma. The EPA facilitates a network of more than 1,000 community-based programs to find local solutions for delivering and sustaining comprehensive asthma care by offering technical assistance and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. As a result, more and more programs are deploying innovative approaches and best practices to successfully improve the lives of people with asthma in their communities.
Asthma, a serious respiratory disease, affects the quality of life of over 23 million Americans and their families. Extensive evidence suggests that reducing indoor exposure to irritants such as secondhand smoke, as well as allergens from house dust mites, pests, mold and animals can prevent asthma attacks or lessen their severity.
2020 National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management Winners
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (Tyler, TX): Approximately 9% of children in Texas have asthma, while rates in Northeast Texas are disproportionately higher at 14%. The region consists of mostly rural communities with a few small metropolitan areas. Environmental triggers such as higher than average smoking rates, pollution and air impacts from high pollen and mold exposures both outdoors and indoors, as well as substandard housing in Northeast Texas, contribute to these high rates. Access to primary or specialty care is limited due to a lack of providers, which leads to increases in emergency department visits and subsequently missed school days due to asthma-related symptoms.
Michele Bosworth, MD
“our goal is to enable children to thrive”
In response to this healthcare challenge, in 2008 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler initiated a mobile asthma program coined “The Breath of Life Mobile Pediatric Asthma Clinic” (BOLMPAC). The mobile asthma program travels not only to schools, but to other locations such as apartment complexes, churches and community health centers, serving 2,500 unique patients a year. Comprehensive asthma care is provided, and because asthma and environmental triggers go hand in hand, all patients receive allergy testing and treatment, if indicated. Patients that have severe or uncontrolled asthma receive a home assessment provided by a BOLMPAC community health worker. This successful program has seen a significant decrease in missed school days and a 50% decrease in emergency department visits.
“We are truly honored to receive this award from the EPA. The mobile asthma program’s success has been attributed to many UT Health Science Center leaders over the years, including Dr. Kirk Calhoun, Dr. Paul Sharkey and Kate Starnes,” noted Executive Director Michele Bosworth, MD. “Having asthma doesn’t have to be debilitating for children; through the care delivered in the Breath of Life Mobile asthma program, our goal is to enable children to thrive in their school and home environments.”
Children’s Hospital Colorado Breathing Institute (Aurora, CO): Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) is a private, not-for-profit pediatric healthcare network dedicated 100% to caring for kids. CHCO’s Pulmonary Department, known as The Breathing Institute, is nationally recognized for their work with patients who have asthma and other complex respiratory and related illnesses. The Asthma Program, started in 2006, has expanded and supports comprehensive community asthma care through several initiatives. Their team focuses on a four-county area, home to approximately 525,000 children. These counties are all diverse, with minority populations ranging from 20% to 70% and up to 25% of children living in poverty. Environmental remediation is accomplished through a thorough home assessment, planned with the family and implemented by community health workers with nurse support to assess asthma control. Because children typically spend a third of their day at school potentially exposed to multiple asthma triggers, CHCO incorporates the EPA’s Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality Framework into their comprehensive school program. The environmental components of CHCO’s asthma program are funded through two mechanisms: a grant using state tobacco tax revenue and an innovative funding stream from Colorado Medicaid, which is focused on improving care and outcomes for Medicaid patients across Colorado. CHCO has seen impressive results with a 24% decrease in school absenteeism, significant improvements in asthma control and decreased emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
To showcase and spread best asthma care practices from these award-winning programs, the EPA will host a webinar on Thursday, May 28, 2020, as part of Asthma Awareness Month. Registration for this webinar will be announced shortly on our website at: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq.
Learn more about the National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management and the 2020 winners: www.epa.gov/asthma.