Coalition-Based Approaches for Addressing Environmental Issues in Childhood Asthma

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution and the indoor environment have been shown to cause or exacerbate childhood asthma. Allies Against Asthma coalitions implemented a broad range of activities to reduce or remediate indoor exposure to asthma environmental triggers for children with asthma including education and trigger remediation, physician and other health care provider education, and policy efforts to improve air quality in homes and schools. Outdoor environmental triggers were addressed through programs to increase education and awareness and efforts to change policies related to environmental conditions. Implementation of such efforts was complicated by the lack of safe and affordable housing and the amount of time and resources necessary to address policy change. Keys to success included promoting coordination and partnerships among coalition members, implementation of consistent messages, and building a broad and unified voice for policy change.

Built to Collaborate? Organization Design and Coalition Success

“…For example, a multicountry study found that engaging multisector partnerships was a determinant of success in how some countries attained accelerated progress to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths while other countries did not (Bishai et al, 2016). Furthermore, Nicholos et al (2006) demonstrated that the coordination and partnerships among coalition members was a key determinant of success in a large-scale health promotion effort to address childhood asthma. These examples and others demonstrate that the effectiveness of health promotion efforts cannot be separated from coalition performance.…”

“…Researchers have noted a connection between coalition effectiveness and the success of health promotion initiatives. For example, Nicholas et al (2006) examined the role of coalitions in reducing the effects of air pollution and unhealthy indoor environments on childhood asthma. These researchers found that multifaceted coalition efforts aimed at education, policy efforts, and in-home interventions were successful.…”