Archive for asthma
How do patients with cystic fibrosis respond to COVID-19? An ‘airway in a dish’ may give answers
So far, based on clinical data, patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) don’t appear to be especially susceptible to COVID-19. And when they do get infected, they don’t seem to get sicker. But Ruobing (Ruby) Wang, MD, who cares for patients with CF in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, thinks there is ... Read More
Asthma, softball, and COVID-19: Gwen’s story
Gwendolyn Castro has a competitive streak. Whether playing softball or debating topics like universal health care, the 15-year-old wants to be the best at whatever she does. Her mom, Alicia Cacho, doesn’t want Gwen’s asthma to hold her back in any way. Over the years, both have learned that the best way to keep asthma ... Read More
Racism and children’s health: What providers need to know
It’s easy to feel outdone by racism, especially as the country cycles through stages of tragedy, awareness, and inertia. But with renewed attention to violence against Black people in recent weeks, many health care providers are asking themselves hard questions: Can we create a better world for the next generation?Can the call for racial justice lead ... Read More
Racism is a health issue: How it affects kids, what parents can do
Racism has once again gained national attention. Following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, people around the world are taking a stand against race-based inequality and violence. But even after it fades from the news cycle, racism will remain present in the lives of children. How children experience racism Racism can ... Read More
Asthma and COVID: Four things families need to know now
It’s an ongoing message from the media: People with underlying health conditions appear to be at higher risk for developing complications of COVID-19. So it’s no wonder that kids with asthma and their parents are worried. “Almost every family I speak with has questions about COVID-19,” says Elizabeth Klements, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Bridgewater ... Read More
Racial differences in response to asthma therapies, and other AsthmaNet lessons
African Americans have higher rates of serious asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and asthma-related deaths than whites. Now, a large multicenter study of African Americans with poorly controlled asthma finds that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to common asthma treatments. Results appear in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The randomized study had ... Read More
The business case for addressing disparities in asthma
The Community Asthma Initiative (CAI) at Boston Children’s Hospital has been improving the health and quality of life of children with asthma for more than a decade — and now there’s exciting new evidence about the financial benefits of doing so. CAI works to address the disproportionately high rate of asthma in children from mostly ... Read More
Predicting and preventing asthma exacerbations in children
Some pediatric primary care providers in Massachusetts have a powerful new way to identify and prevent uncontrolled asthma in children. The Medical Home Asthma Program (MAP), modeled after the Community Asthma Initiative (CAI), is offered to practices in the Pediatric Physician’s Organization at Children’s (PPOC). MAP helps providers leverage electronic tools to identify at-risk children ... Read More
Charting a new course in primary care for patients with asthma
Primary care providers at Boston Children’s Primary Care at Longwood have found that their innovative, personalized approach to treating asthma has improved outcomes for children. Providers recognized that families coping with a child’s asthma needed more guidance than they could get at an annual check-up or sick visit, says Faye Holder-Niles, MD, MPH, a pediatrician ... Read More
A lifeline for families with asthma
Nilda Gabin knows how terrifying it is to rush to the hospital with a child who is having trouble breathing — fortunately, that hasn’t happened to her in two years. “The scariest part is to see your child struggling to breathe and you can’t do anything to help them at home,” says Nilda, who recalls ... Read More