About 200,000 children in Michigan have asthma, and nearly five million suffer from the condition nationwide. Research from Michigan State University shows school-based asthma therapy helps kids manage their symptoms while reducing medical costs.
According to the study, school-based therapy relies on collaboration between school staff, nurses, healthcare providers, insurers, pharmacies, and families. MSU nursing professor Kimberly Arcoleo says the program began as a randomized controlled trial in Rochester, New York in the late 90s. It was launched by a doctor who noticed the same children repeatedly visiting her clinic for asthma treatment often missed school.
“She came up with actually the very simple idea on the face of it, to have the school nurses give the kids their asthma controller medications during the school day,” Arcoleo said.
Arcoleo says the program allows kids to get at least one of their two recommended doses of asthma medication at school. She added that the therapy costs $1,500 per student but saves up to $7,000 in medical expenses by reducing asthma symptoms.
18 states have passed legislation allowing schools to give out common asthma medications. Michigan has guidelines for school-based asthma plans, but not always asthma therapy.
