Pediatric Asthma Initiative
The last several decades have seen a significant rise in the prevalence of asthma in children. Between 1980 and 1996, 12-month asthma prevalence among children increased from 3.5% to 6.2%.[1]
Although the need for environmental management of asthma is well recognized and is included in the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program's (NAEPP) "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma"[2], in general neither medical and nursing schools, nor pediatric practices routinely incorporate it into pediatric asthma treatment plans.
One recent study found that fewer than one fifth of pediatricians were trained in taking environmental history[3], and another called for the need for increased environmental health education for pediatricians and nurses[4].
To address this need, The NEEF launched the Pediatric Asthma Initiative in partnership with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The initiative is a long-term project in order to integrate environmental management of asthma into pediatric medical and nursing education and practice.
Under the leadership of the Initiative's steering committee, Environmental Management of Pediatric Asthma: Guidelines for Health Care Providers was developed. This peer-reviewed document includes competencies for environmental management of asthma, an environmental history form, and environmental intervention guidelines, which are built on best current practices and scientific literature. They are founded upon NAEPP Guidelines and are intended to be used by health care providers in conjunction with its clinical and pharmacological components, as part of a child's comprehensive asthma management plan.
Sources:
[1] Dey AN, Schiller JS, Tai DA. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2002. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(221). 2004.
[2] National Asthma Education and Prevention Programs, National Institute of Health. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. July 1997. NIH Publication 97-4051. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/index.htm.
[3] Kilpatrick N, Frumkin H, et al. Environmental History in Pediatric Practice: A Study of Pediatricians' Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002; 110: 823-827
[4] McCurdy L, Roberts J, Rogers B, Love R, Etzel R, Paulson J, Witherspoon N, Dearry A. Incorporating Environmental Health Into Pediatric Medical and Nursing Education. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2004 Dec; 112(17): 1755-60.