Issues in identifying asthma and estimating prevalence in an urban school population

Applying epidemiologic concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to the elimination of racial disparities in asthma

“…54 Regardless of race, the prevalence of undiagnosed asthma is not easily compared across studies because estimates in the literature range from 5.3% to 20% depending on the symptoms, criteria, or both used. [55][56][57] Do those without a diagnosis benefit from treatment? A positive-intervention effect was reported in phase II of the National Cooperative Inner-City Asthma Study, which involved a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an asthma counselor in reducing asthmarelated morbidity among children with and without diagnoses.…”

Identification of Gaps in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Asthma Using a Community-based Participatory Research Approach

“…The URC partnership involves representatives from community-based organizations (CBOs), the local health department, an integrated health care system, and academic researchers, working together to address the health issues of concern to the eastside and southwest communities of Detroit, Michigan. 4,5 During the early phases of its development, the URC board identified the influence of the physical environment on children's health as one of its priority areas. A new CBPR Steering Committee was then established for the CAAA research and intervention project, with the committee consisting of representatives from each of the organizations involved with the URC along with several additional CBOs.…”

“…2,4 This instrument was modified from the American Thoracic Society respiratory questionnaire for adults 8 and validated in third to fifth grade urban African American schoolchildren by comparing responses to physician diagnosis and postexercise bronchial hyperresponsiveness. 2,4,9 The self-administered questionnaire, which is completed by parents, is designed to identify children with a physician-diagnosis of asthma as well as those children who experience symptoms consistent with asthma, but who have not yet been diagnosed by a medical provider. It further allows for the classification of children into asthma severity categories as defined by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) 1997 report.…”

“…3 A key component of CPBR is the active participation of community members in defining the research question, designing and implementing the research protocol, and interpreting and disseminating research findings. 3,4 The CBPR approach is particularly well suited for application in marginalized communities and to the complex interplay of environmental and social influences on asthma morbidity in such urban environments because it emphasizes participation of members of these communities in identifying suitable research and intervention approaches.…”

Congruence between Urban Adolescent and Caregiver Responses to Questions about the Adolescent’s Asthma

“…Reports from patients or family members regarding symptom type or frequency have been the primary means of identifying asthma in epidemiological studies 5 and an essential component of diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in clinical settings. 6 In addition to symptom reports, clinicians and researchers' understanding of asthma often requires information from families about a broader range of factors.…”