Drew A Harris1, Anne Mainardi1, Osatohamwen Iyamu2, Marjorie S Rosenthal3,4, R Douglas Bruce5,6, Margaret A Pisani1, Carrie A Redlich1,7. 1. a Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA. 2. b Department of Medicine , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA. 3. c Department of Pediatrics , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA. 4. d Yale Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinician Scholars Program , New Haven , CT , USA. 5. e Division of Infectious Disease , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA. 6. f Cornell Scott Hill Health Center , New Haven , CT , USA. 7. g Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify challenges that disadvantaged adults with asthma face in mitigating social and environmental factors associated with poor symptom control. METHODS: Using a community-engaged approach, we partnered with a community health center in New Haven, CT to conduct in-person interviews and a written survey of asthmatic adults with poor symptom control. Using the constant comparative method, we analyzed participant interviews to establish emerging themes and identify common barriers to improved outcomes. Through a written survey utilizing clinically validated questions, we assessed information on access to medical care, asthma control, and selected social and environmental risk factors. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (mean age 47, 62% female, 71% Black, 95% insured by Medicaid) participated. The average Asthma Control Test (ACT) score was 11.6. Seventy-six percent of participants were currently employed and of those, 75% reported work-related symptoms. Among participants currently in housing, 59% reported exposure to domiciliary mice and 47% to mold. We identified three themes that summarize the challenges the study participants face: 1) Lack of knowledge about home and workplace asthma triggers; 2) Lack of awareness of legal rights or resources available to mitigate adverse conditions in the home or work environment; and 3) Fear of retaliation from landlords or employers, including threats of eviction, sexual assault, and job loss. CONCLUSION: Patients with poorly controlled asthma in a disadvantaged urban northeast community identified common barriers in both the domestic and work environments that impeded attainment of symptom control. These challenges may be best addressed through legal advocacy for those most at risk.
OBJECTIVE: To identify challenges that disadvantaged adults with asthma face in mitigating social and environmental factors associated with poor symptom control. METHODS: Using a community-engaged approach, we partnered with a community health center in New Haven, CT to conduct in-person interviews and a written survey of asthmatic adults with poor symptom control. Using the constant comparative method, we analyzed participant interviews to establish emerging themes and identify common barriers to improved outcomes. Through a written survey utilizing clinically validated questions, we assessed information on access to medical care, asthma control, and selected social and environmental risk factors. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (mean age 47, 62% female, 71% Black, 95% insured by Medicaid) participated. The average Asthma Control Test (ACT) score was 11.6. Seventy-six percent of participants were currently employed and of those, 75% reported work-related symptoms. Among participants currently in housing, 59% reported exposure to domiciliary mice and 47% to mold. We identified three themes that summarize the challenges the study participants face: 1) Lack of knowledge about home and workplace asthma triggers; 2) Lack of awareness of legal rights or resources available to mitigate adverse conditions in the home or work environment; and 3) Fear of retaliation from landlords or employers, including threats of eviction, sexual assault, and job loss. CONCLUSION:Patients with poorly controlled asthma in a disadvantaged urban northeast community identified common barriers in both the domestic and work environments that impeded attainment of symptom control. These challenges may be best addressed through legal advocacy for those most at risk.
Entities:
Keywords:
Asthma disparities; community-based participatory research; community-engaged research; legal advocacy; medical-legal partnerships; social determinants of health
Authors: Joan S Ash; Dian Chase; Sherry Baron; Margaret S Filios; Richard N Shiffman; Stacey Marovich; Jane Wiesen; Genevieve B Luensman Journal: Appl Clin Inform Date: 2020-09-30 Impact factor: 2.342