Urban Mold and Moisture Program
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Urban Mold & Moisture Program improves respiratory health of children in inner city neighborhoods by reducing mold, moisture, and asthma triggers in the home. The program uses a combined clinical and environmental approach to reduce asthma symptoms caused by the presence of mold and allergens. Symptomatic, asthmatic children aged 2-17 years living in a home with indoor mold qualify for the intervention. Participants are recruited during inpatient hospitalizations after primary care visits and emergency department visits and through referrals from community health clinics, health fairs, and general advertising. Children receive an action plan, education, and individualized problem solving. Through the program homes receive environmental interventions focused on reducing water infiltration, removing water damaged building materials, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning alterations, lead hazard control, and cleaning.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Urban Mold and Moisture Program is to reduce environmental mold, moisture, and asthma triggers in homes to improve pediatric respiratory health.
Results / Accomplishments
In a study of 104 homes receiving environmental interventions, children with moderately severe asthma had a significant decrease in symptom score (p < 0.006) and symptom days (p < 0.003) following the remediation. Children in a control group that received only home cleaning information had no change in symptom score or number of symptom days. Following the study asthmatics receiving home interventions had a lower proportion of exacerbations when compared to the control group (1/29 vs. 11/33, p = 0.003). Children enrolled in the program without asthma had a significant decrease in upper and lower respiratory symptoms following the intervention.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Center for Chronic Conditions of Childhood, Case School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics
Primary Contact
Carolyn Kercsmar
Department of Pediatrics
Case School of Medicine
11100 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
(216) 844-3267
carolyn.kercsmar@uhhs.com
http://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbow
Department of Pediatrics
Case School of Medicine
11100 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
(216) 844-3267
carolyn.kercsmar@uhhs.com
http://www.uhhospitals.org/rainbow
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Respiratory Diseases
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Health / Respiratory Diseases
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Organization(s)
Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Center for Chronic Conditions of Childhood, Case School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics
Date of publication
Oct 2006
Date of implementation
2003
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Cuyahoga, OH
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