Control of environmental triggers for people with asthma is being widely promoted as an important component of asthma management.
However, few studies of environmental interventions for reducing indoor asthma triggers have evaluated the feasibility of such
interventions outside of the study context. In the Healthy Homes for Healthy Airways Study, we aim to empower our clients to take
initiative in changing their home environments according to their priority and means by:
Determining whether simple interventions to lower the amount of environmental asthma triggers present in the home, such as dust mites, mold, pet dander and secondhand smoke are feasible for low-income adults with asthma served by San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH).
Identifying the intrapersonal (e.g. lack of confidence in ability to make changes, unwillingness or inability to prioritize asthma management, etc.) and interpersonal barriers (e.g. unstable housing situation, lack of emotional/material/educational support from others, lack of material resources, poor relationship with or fear of retaliation from landlord, etc.) that made the implementation of certain interventions difficult for our clients.
The intervention consists of two visits, the first of which provides a comprehensive, room-by-room environmental assessment, client skill-building, recommendations on ways to improve the home environment tailored to the needs of each client and resources such as allergy-proof mattress covers. The second visit includes a re-evaluation of the home to identify reasons for non-compliance.
A summary of study results and evaluation of the study process were completed. The intervention is currently being redesigned into a permanent, one-visit program to be institutionalized in San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and made available to all adults with asthma in San Francisco. Results of this study are expected to add to the existing body of scientific literature about effective asthma management in the home, help other cities design similar programs and inform the San Francisco Board of Supervisor's Asthma Task Force so that citywide policies and strategies to improve asthma-exacerbating conditions may be identified.