NH Asthma Control Program

The CDC awarded a three-year grant to the NH Department of Health and Human Services in September 2004 to implement activities based on recommendations from the NH State Asthma Plan. All program activities relate to five central objectives: strengthen program organizational structure and collaborative partnerships, improve health outcomes by increasing adherence to National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines, increase capacity to create asthma-healthy environments, launch public awareness and education campaigns, and enhance the surveillance system to support program planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Specific activities include: professional and workforce development, asthma quality improvement projects at primary care sites, pilot projects to code and reimburse for asthma education, projects to assure environmental and disease management in homes and schools, public information campaign, projects with other public health programs on secondhand smoke, flu immunization, and physical activity and obesity, surveillance activities to help monitor and evaluate interventions.

Several working groups meet regularly to plan and implement initiatives. A program steering committee helps coordinate all implementation activities and provides an important network for agencies and organizations committed to improving the health status and quality of life for people with asthma.