Policy and System Change and Community Coalitions: Outcomes From Allies Against Asthma
- 1 May 2010
- journal article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 100 (5), 904-912
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2009.180869
Abstract
Objectives. We assessed policy and system changes and health outcomes produced by the Allies Against Asthma program, a 5-year collaborative effort by 7 community coalitions to address childhood asthma. We also explored associations between community engagement and outcomes. Methods. We interviewed a sample of 1477 parents of children with asthma in coalition target areas and comparison areas at baseline and 1 year to assess quality-of-life and symptom changes. An extensive tracking and documentation procedure and a survey of 284 participating individuals and organizations were used to ascertain policy and system changes and community engagement levels. Results. A total of 89 policy and system changes were achieved, ranging from changes in interinstitutional and intrainstitutional practices to statewide legislation. Allies children experienced fewer daytime (P = .008) and nighttime (P = .004) asthma symptoms than comparison children. In addition, Allies parents felt less helpless, frightened, and angry (P = .01) about their child's asthma. Type of community engagement was associated with number of policy and system changes. Conclusions. Community coalitions can successfully achieve asthma policy and system changes and improve health outcomes. Increased core and ongoing community stakeholder participation rather than a higher overall number of participants was associated with more change.Keywords
This publication has 68 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Power and the Promise: Working With Communities to Analyze Data, Interpret Findings, and Get to OutcomesAmerican Journal of Public Health, 2008
- Community Partnerships, Food Pantries, and an Evidence‐Based Intervention to Increase Mammography Among Rural WomenThe Journal of Rural Health, 2008
- Healthy public policy: A conceptual cognitive frameworkHealth Policy, 2007
- Allies Community Health Workers: Bridging the GapHealth Promotion Practice, 2006
- Promoting Environmental Health Policy Through Community Based Participatory Research: A Case Study from Harlem, New YorkJournal of Urban Health, 2006
- Coalition models: Lessons learned from the CDC’s Community Coalition Partnership Programs for the Prevention of Teen PregnancyJournal of Adolescent Health, 2005
- Effect of asthma intervention on children with undiagnosed asthmaThe Journal of Pediatrics, 2005
- The Coalition Technical Assistance and Training Framework: Helping Community Coalitions Help ThemselvesHealth Promotion Practice, 2004
- The Coalition Training InstituteJournal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2003
- Evaluating the effects of a community coalition's efforts to reduce illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco products to minorsJournal of Community Health, 1996