1. Because Every Breath Counts

2. Why Asthma? Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days and emergency room trips for a chronic disease Pediatric asthma rates nearly doubled between 1980 and 1995

5. Why Asthma? More than 80,000 Alaskan adults report that they have suffered from asthma at some point in their lives (13% lifetime prevalence) and more than 60,000 report a current diagnosis (9%). BRFSS 2004

6. Healthy Alaskans 2010

7. Why Asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease and controlling it requires individual and societal change by patients, families, providers and health care systems. Changes need to be made in diagnosis and treatment, self- management and environmental modifications, insurance reimbursement, and public education.

8. Change of this magnitude requires a broad-based partnership to plan and implement programs at both the local and state levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Asthma Control Program recommends that states build and sustain a statewide asthma coalition as an effective strategy to address this growing public health issue.

10. History 30+ states have formal asthma coalitions and developed/are developing “State Asthma Plans” Most states have public health department programs funded by Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to develop and implement a “State Asthma Plan” Some states not funded; have self-sustaining asthma coalitions Alaska State Public Health Department is not, to date, funded by CDC for an Asthma Control Program

11. Background and Process In 2003 the American Lung Association of Alaska (ALA Alaska) and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America- Alaska Chapter (AAFA-Alaska) received Congressional funding to address asthma in Alaska. ALA Alaska committed to develop an Alaska Coalition and sponsor an Alaska Asthma Summit with the goal of developing an Alaska Asthma Plan in lieu of a state asthma program In Early 2004 the Alaska Asthma Coalition, a group of committed partners from diverse backgrounds who share the common goal of improving asthma care, was formed.

12. Background and Process A Leadership Planning Team was identified and the process started in March, 2004 first leading to information gathering on asthma surveillance, stakeholders, opportunities, barriers, and outcomes. At a retreat in April, 2004 this information was reviewed and Task Forces on surveillance, scientific interventions, partnering, policy, and education, school based programs, and work-based asthma were formed and plans for the first Alaska Asthma Summit finalized. The Task Forces began to work on goals. Delegates to the Summit were selected from the diverse stakeholders of Alaska…parents and patients with asthma, individuals with rural and urban, native and non-native backgrounds, health care providers, planners, and payors both public and private, marketing and pharmaceutical representatives, business owners, educators, and policymakers.

13. Alaska Building Science Network Alaska Center for Pediatrics Asthma Committee of the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) AK Native Tribal Health Consort. Alaska Nurse Practitioner Assoc. Alaska Nurses Association Alaska Pharmacy Association Alaska Primary Care Association Alaska Public Health Association AK Society for Respiratory Care Alaska Thoracic Society Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) American Heart Association American Lung Association of AK Anchorage School District Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – AK Bristol Bay Area Health Corp. CDC/NIOSH ConocoPhillips Denali Center Fairbanks Memorial Elmendorf AFB Health Promotions Fort Richardson Health Promotions Fred Meyers Pharmacy Genentech Pharmaceuticals GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Muni of Anchorage - Environmental Health Professional Infusion Pharmacy Providence Alaska Medical Center Solutions to Healthy Breathing Southcentral Foundation State of Alaska (SOA) Department of Health and Human Services – Epidemiology SOA CHEMS Health Promotions SOA Division of Medicaid The Nerland Agency U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs UAA Health/Fairbanks UAA/Circumpolar Health Studies

14. Short-term Coalition Activities Finalize the Alaska State Asthma Plan to address asthma in Alaska Host the 2 nd Annual Alaska Asthma Summit in partnership with the Alaska Health Summit. Enhanced asthma surveillance and data analysis Develop and implement an electronic asthma action plan Implement and promote the new law mandating AK public schools to allow children to carry and use their inhalers and epi-pens Build sustainability for the Alaska State Asthma Plan

15. Long-term Goals Reduce asthma mortality and morbidity Control the cost of care Improve quality of life for asthma patients

16. Through… Surveillance & evaluation Scientific interventions, including provider and patient education and strategies Work-related asthma interventions Youth initiatives and school-based programs Media and public awareness Partnering Policy Change

17. More than Asthma… Alaska Asthma Coalition is about asthma but at the same time it is about something more -opportunity- the opportunity to change health care. Could our efforts demonstrate a better way to provide care for all chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, arthritis)? Could we stimulate development of a better state or national health care model?

18. Contact Information Marge Larson, Steering Committee Member (907) 644-6405 mlarson@aklung.org Michelle Ferreira, Asthma Coalition Coordinator (907) 644-6417 mferreira@aklung.org