Asthma is estimated to occur in 7% of school-age children, although population-based prevalence studies in the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) have placed this estimate closer to 12%. The Community Collaborative Asthma Project has established cooperation among Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Public Health, and the Rochester School District to identify and manage asthma cases using a shared asthma action plan. While still in its pilot phase, in its first year, the project discovered 700 cases in addition to the 1,100 self-reported cases known to school health personnel. Substantial evidence links poorly controlled asthma to poor childhood school performance and, unambiguously, to poor school attendance.
View new video: produced by SE MN Beacon
The Beacon proposal intends to expand the asthma action plan program in the 11-county region and leverage standards-based health information exchange (HIE) to increase reporting completeness and accuracy, as well as to disseminate asthma action plans that are collaboratively developed for a child. This extension includes processes of care coordination with providers, public health and school nurses.
Overview of Beacon Asthma Initiative – Barbara Yawn, M.D., Olmsted Medical Center
Simple Strides to Healthier Lives – Managing Asthma (MP3 2.25 MB Audio file)
Steps to a Healthier MN – Olmsted County Public Health
Watch the ABC “Cutting Edge Medicine” news feature on treating asthma in Olmsted County.
Southeast Minnesota Beacon Program 