Fight Asthma Milwaukee Allies

Fight Asthma Milwaukee Allies (FAM Allies) uses partnerships in healthcare, government, and community to provide better care to children with asthma. The program’s Care Coordination and Case Management Committee implements standardized asthma education and needs assessment in homes, schools, clinics, and churches and manages the care of high-risk children. The Clinical Quality Improvement Committee coordinates education for health care providers. The Environmental Committee focuses on reducing indoor and outdoor environmental hazards and the Surveillance and Evaluation Committee reviews existing programs and performs evaluations. The Family and Community Education Committee provides programming in Spanish and English for parents, childcare providers, and school staff. The Parent Neighborhood Organizing Committee develops leadership skills within the community to work for social change, and the Steering Committee manages financial and member resources.

The goal of FAM Allies is reduce asthma related hospital stays among children by linking patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with resources and education.

The FAM Allies program serves an average of 1,500 children, families, and community members annually. The coalition has expanded to include more than 100 health care professionals, community representatives, local businesses, government officials, and family members county-wide. Between 2000 and 2002 clinical education programs have trained 72 medical professionals in asthma management and 75 in tobacco counseling, 25 clinicians completed the Physician Asthma Care Education (PACE) program, and 36 pharmacists were educated about asthma management. More than 7,000 people were educated during 12,500 encounters in schools, with increases in asthma knowledge (41% to 54%) and asthma-friendly school practices (48% to 70%). Emergency Department visits and hospitalization rates were decreased by 40% during the same time period. Families involved in home health projects for 12 months saw decreases in asthma symptoms (74% to 36%).