Based on critical areas of need identified through surveillance data and community input, the District’s strategic planning process identified the following priorities:

• The development of strategies designed to reduce overall mortality rates in the District specifically in Wards 6, 7, and 8. These wards have the highest asthma mortality rates for the six-year period 1995-2000.

• Target intervention strategies for 55 and older age group. This population has been found to more likely die from asthma than younger age groups (6.3 per 100,000 for 55 years and older vs. 1.0% 100,000 for the 0-4 age group for 1995-2000.

• Reduce hospitalization rates for the age group 0-4. This group has the highest rates of hospital discharge due to asthma related episodes from 1998-2001.

• Reduce the use of Emergency Departments for primary care. The number of children using this source of care increases the cost of asthma care and does not encourage management of the condition.

• Targeted intervention strategies to underserved populations. Blacks, Females, Hispanics, Asians, and those with lower income and education levels have a higher prevalence of asthma.

• Promote the use of the National Institute of Health National Heart (NIH) Lung, and Blood Institute’s ((NHLBI) Guidelines. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Expert Panel Report 2 (EPR 2): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (NAEPP 1991) is the best practice reference for asthma management for physicians.

• Strengthen asthma surveillance. An integrated electronic network that links multiple data sources, supports asthma surveillance for program planning and decision making.