MAYOR GIULIANI AND SPEAKER VALLONE AGREE ON NEW ASTHMA PRIORITIES
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, with Health Commissioner Dr. Neal L. Cohen, Council Finance Committee Chair Herbert E. Berman and Health Committee Chair Victor L. Robles, today announced new Fiscal Year 1999 priorities for spending $1.1 million of the Health Department's Asthma Initiative. These funds are part of an overall $2.3 million grant from the City Council. The remaining funds will be used to support asthma programs begun in FY 1998.
Mayor Giuliani said, "This agreement is very important to children afflicted with asthma. The Health Department's Asthma Initiative is helping these kids lead normal lives. We will use this $1.1 million to expand the initiative to three new communities. With this increase, the program will serve a total of six communities in all five boroughs. The money will go to schools and day care centers and for doctors and education."
Speaker Vallone said, "We're delighted that this program will reach more children with asthma in all areas of the City. The Council is committed to these youngsters and their families. We've made a good start this year and this new agreement means that additional progress will be made."
Specifically, the $1.1 million will be used to:
- increase the budget of the Hunts Point pilot program from $195,000 to $495,000;
- increase the budget for implementing the East Harlem initiative from $100,000 to $150,000;
- provide $150,000 to expand the program to another community in Queens;
- provide $150,000 to expand the program to another community in Staten Island;
- provide $150,000 to expand the program to another community in Brooklyn; (there is already $150,000 dedicated to implementing a program in the Greenpoint/Williamsburg community);
- provide $150,000 for asthma treatment education for doctors and other medical providers; and,
- provide $125,000 to improve asthma management in all licensed day care centers.
The Asthma Initiative is designed to:
- improve the diagnosis and treatment of asthma;
- reduce exposures to irritants and allergens in the home and community;
- empower patients and families to better manage their asthma;
- increase public and patient awareness of asthma and preventive measures to minimize symptoms; and
- mobilize community partnerships to coordinate asthma intervention efforts.
Ongoing activities include:
- Continuing to expand the "Open Airways" education program from 200 to 600 elementary schools (currently in 525 schools) by the end of the school year;
- Establishing the City's first community-based asthma resource center in Hunts Point, scheduled to open this summer;
- Launching a Citywide media campaign to promote improved asthma care;
- Creating first-year planning groups in three communities to support the implementation of comprehensive programs linking interventions in doctors' offices with activities in schools, homes and community centers;
- Launching a medical provider asthma education program;
- Distributing thousands of pieces of medical equipment including spacers, nebulizers, and peak flow meters as well as bed covers to prevent exposure to dust mites;
- Evaluating program activities and monitoring asthma hospitalization rate; and
- Establishing best practice models for asthma management with managed care organizations.
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