| Project Title: | Children with Asthma in Home Care: An Evaluation of Population Characteristics and Needs |
| Project Start Date: | January 2000 |
| Key Project Staff: |
Center for Home Care Policy and Research, Visiting Nurse Service of
New York Department of Children’s and Family Services, Visiting Nurse
Service of New York |
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Background: Asthma is one of the leading causes of illness among children in the United States and disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities and residents of cities. Factors in the home environment play a major role in effectively managing the condition. Purpose: This study sought to examine the characteristics of children with asthma who received home care through the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY); what triggered their asthma; if their illness was managed according to national guidelines; what kind of health care services they used; the level of knowledge that their family caregivers have about asthma; and whether there were any disparities between children who received care through VNSNY’s charitable care program and those who did not. Study Design: This retrospective study examined the medical records of 1,007 children in New York City who received home care services from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in 1999. Summary Findings:
Conclusions: Most children with asthma who are cared for by VNSNY are young boys who are members of racial/ethnic minority groups, and they receive relatively few home visits for asthma management. They face many environmental triggers of asthma at home, and their family caregivers lack adequate knowledge about how to recognize and manage the disease. Home health care providers have unique opportunities to educate and train family caregivers about how to effectively manage their children’s asthma. Publications: forthcoming. Sponsor: The Charitable Care Coordinating Group, VNSNY. |
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