Asthma Navigator Intervention to Improve Health Equity in Children

Despite available asthma treatments, nearly 50% of children with asthma experience exacerbations annually, with disadvantaged children, particularly Black and Hispanic, being the most affected. These disparities are largely due to social determinants of health (SDOH), including socioeconomics and family hardship, which explain over 80% of the racial disparities in asthma outcomes. Children in lower opportunity neighborhoods face additional challenges like poor housing and limited green spaces, increasing exposure to pollutants and allergens.

At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Pediatric ICU (PICU), 85% of asthma admissions come from low-opportunity areas, with 36.7% having another exacerbation within a year. Significant barriers to better outcomes include limited provider understanding of SDOH and challenges in asthma self-management. Effective asthma self-management, supported by medical providers, is crucial for improving health outcomes in these disadvantaged children.