PROBLEM: Families in Ohio need support at home to help reduce further asthma attacks in their children.
SOLUTION: Since 2022, the Region 5 PEHSU satellite at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has worked with multiple hospital divisions to connect families with home asthma environmental interventions. Hospital community health workers received training from PEHSU on environmental asthma triggers and evidence-based home interventions. With additional support from the Ohio Department of Health, a community health worker started making home visits to families with children who have had a recent asthma exacerbation.
IMPACT: In 2024, 20 families enrolled in the program to receive a home visit along with materials for the home including dust covers, safer cleaning supplies, and in some cases air filters, in addition to helping them get connected with community services for more long-term support and resources. Programs like these can take years to develop and require buy-in from hospitals, payers, and most importantly, families. Having a PEHSU expert available to advocate for and to help educate personnel to carry out these home visits is an asset for children in Cincinnati.
-Nick Newman, DO, MS, FAAP