NIH Award Funds $4.1 Million Grant to Enhance Asthma Management in Local Schools
In a significant development for child healthcare, a recent award of $4.1 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will facilitate better asthma management among schoolchildren in New York City. This funding is set to enhance collaboration among primary care providers, families, and educational institutions, creating a more seamless care experience for children with asthma.
Dr. Marina Reznik, Vice Chair of Clinical and Community Research at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, spearheads this initiative. Her previous research highlighted that only about one-third of children have the necessary documentation at school to receive their asthma medication, severely limiting their access to critical care. The current process requires parents to navigate a cumbersome multi-step procedure involving forms and submissions, which can be a barrier for many families.
Recognizing these challenges, the new research project aims to streamline asthma medication access in schools. The initiative will allow caregivers to submit required documentation electronically, simplifying what has traditionally been a laborious process. This new online system will enable timely submission directly to school nurses through the New York City Department of Education, reducing the administrative burden on families.
Besides the electronic submission system, the program will also employ specialized asthma outreach workers. These social workers will act as coordinators, linking families, healthcare providers, and schools. They will help families navigate the healthcare system, ensuring that children have access to asthma medications both at school and home, and will assist caregivers in understanding medication management as well as overcoming challenges related to prescription access.
The plan includes enrolling around 400 children aged 4 to 12 years, who are coping with persistent or uncontrolled asthma, from Montefiore Medical Group clinics. Half of these clinics will have access to the new portal to streamline the documentation process, while the other half will continue with standard care. This research will evaluate if this intervention significantly improves asthma control, caregivers’ quality of life, and school attendance among participating children.
Dr. Reznik emphasized the potential benefits for children suffering from persistent or uncontrolled asthma, stating, "We believe that children will thrive from collaborative support among their families, medical teams, and schools. By simplifying the medication processing and integrating a system where caregivers can easily complete documents online, we make it significantly easier for children to access the asthma treatments they need."
Experts like Dr. Michael D. Cabana, Physician-in-Chief of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, acknowledge the long-term impact of Dr. Reznik's work and the importance of this grant. “This multimillion-dollar fund underscores the advancements made in asthma care through years of research collaboration with various community partners. We are thrilled that Dr. Reznik's efforts will benefit more children with asthma,” he stated.
The grant's project, entitled "Promoting Asthma Guidelines and Management through Technology-Based Intervention and Care Coordination in Clinics and Schools (PRAGMATIC-S)," (1R01HL181061-01) aims to tackle asthma management holistically by leveraging technology and improved coordination among community stakeholders.
Montefiore Health System stands as a leading academic health network in New York, providing care to approximately three million patients across the Bronx, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. With its commitment to advanced clinical and translational research, Montefiore integrates research findings into patient care, thus enhancing health outcomes. This initiative exemplifies the commitment to ongoing improvement in healthcare services and resources for children suffering from asthma, aiming to lessen the burden of this chronic condition and promote healthier futures for countless children and their families.
Dr. Marina Reznik, Vice Chair of Clinical and Community Research at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, spearheads this initiative. Her previous research highlighted that only about one-third of children have the necessary documentation at school to receive their asthma medication, severely limiting their access to critical care. The current process requires parents to navigate a cumbersome multi-step procedure involving forms and submissions, which can be a barrier for many families.
Recognizing these challenges, the new research project aims to streamline asthma medication access in schools. The initiative will allow caregivers to submit required documentation electronically, simplifying what has traditionally been a laborious process. This new online system will enable timely submission directly to school nurses through the New York City Department of Education, reducing the administrative burden on families.
Besides the electronic submission system, the program will also employ specialized asthma outreach workers. These social workers will act as coordinators, linking families, healthcare providers, and schools. They will help families navigate the healthcare system, ensuring that children have access to asthma medications both at school and home, and will assist caregivers in understanding medication management as well as overcoming challenges related to prescription access.
The plan includes enrolling around 400 children aged 4 to 12 years, who are coping with persistent or uncontrolled asthma, from Montefiore Medical Group clinics. Half of these clinics will have access to the new portal to streamline the documentation process, while the other half will continue with standard care. This research will evaluate if this intervention significantly improves asthma control, caregivers’ quality of life, and school attendance among participating children.
Dr. Reznik emphasized the potential benefits for children suffering from persistent or uncontrolled asthma, stating, "We believe that children will thrive from collaborative support among their families, medical teams, and schools. By simplifying the medication processing and integrating a system where caregivers can easily complete documents online, we make it significantly easier for children to access the asthma treatments they need."
Experts like Dr. Michael D. Cabana, Physician-in-Chief of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, acknowledge the long-term impact of Dr. Reznik's work and the importance of this grant. “This multimillion-dollar fund underscores the advancements made in asthma care through years of research collaboration with various community partners. We are thrilled that Dr. Reznik's efforts will benefit more children with asthma,” he stated.
The grant's project, entitled "Promoting Asthma Guidelines and Management through Technology-Based Intervention and Care Coordination in Clinics and Schools (PRAGMATIC-S)," (1R01HL181061-01) aims to tackle asthma management holistically by leveraging technology and improved coordination among community stakeholders.
Montefiore Health System stands as a leading academic health network in New York, providing care to approximately three million patients across the Bronx, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. With its commitment to advanced clinical and translational research, Montefiore integrates research findings into patient care, thus enhancing health outcomes. This initiative exemplifies the commitment to ongoing improvement in healthcare services and resources for children suffering from asthma, aiming to lessen the burden of this chronic condition and promote healthier futures for countless children and their families.
Topics Health）
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