Self-management education of children with asthma: a meta-analysis.

Nearly one in every thirteen children has asthma, making it the most common chronic condition in childhood. For a variety of biological and environmental reasons, the prevalence of childhood asthma has risen dramatically in the past 20 years, with disproportionate effects on low-income populations, minorities, and children living in inner cities. Much of the morbidity associated with childhood asthma, such as activity restrictions, missed school days, and emergency doctor visits, are preventable through appropriate management strategies. This Issue Brief summarizes evidence on the effectiveness of educational programs to improve self-management in children with asthma, and bolsters existing guidelines to include self-management education in the routine care of these patients.