WED-018 - Collaborative Partnerships to Advance Asthma Education and Reduce the Asthma Burden in New Jersey
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area V: Advocacy Keywords: Advocacy@@@Child and Adolescent Health@@@Health Disparities, Subcompetencies: 5.3.3 Sustain coalitions and stakeholder relationships to achieve and maintain policy, system, or environmental change., 5.2.3 Create formal and/or informal alliances, task forces, and coalitions to address the proposed change. Research or Practice: Practice
Asthma Coordinator New Jersey Department of Health New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate strategies to create and sustain collaborative partnerships, including formal alliances and community coalitions, to advance asthma education and support long-term policy, system, and environmental changes in asthma management.
Assess the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and coalition-building efforts in implementing sustainable asthma education initiatives and reducing the asthma burden through coordinated public health strategies.
Apply health literacy–informed strategies, including the use of community health workers, to deliver equitable and effective asthma education across diverse populations.
Brief Abstract Summary: Collaborative Partnerships to Advance Asthma Education and Reduce the Asthma Burden in New Jersey
Detailed abstract description:
Background: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and narrowing, which can make breathing difficult. Common triggers such as allergens, smoke, cold air, or infections can exacerbate symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathlessness. The severity of asthma varies among individuals, but effective management—including medication adherence and avoiding triggers—can significantly reduce its impact. In New Jersey, where asthma prevalence is a significant public health concern, there is a pressing need for coordinated efforts to combat health literacy and enhance asthma education. Addressing health literacy is crucial to ensuring that individuals understand their condition and can effectively manage it.
Methods: The Childhood and Adult Asthma Program (CAAP), housed within the Division of Community Health Services at the New Jersey Department of Health, is dedicated to addressing the multifaceted impacts of asthma. To reduce the asthma burden, CAAP established collaborative partnerships aimed at advancing health equity through enhanced asthma education and strategic, evidence-based interventions. A key initiative was the formation of the New Jersey Asthma Advisory Board, comprising representatives from diverse sectors including community health educators, patient navigators, nurses, physicians, nonprofit organizers, and researchers. Central to these efforts were community health workers, who played a vital role in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and the community, ensuring that asthma education reached those most in need.
Results: The New Jersey Asthma Advisory Board completed the NJ Asthma Strategic Plan, a comprehensive document designed to address the asthma burden across various settings. This plan was developed through the concerted efforts of over twenty-two organizations that met monthly throughout 2025. Additionally, the Advisory Board is working on updating the asthma page on the New Jersey state website to provide current and accessible information, with community health workers ensuring that the content is tailored to the needs of diverse populations.
Conclusions: The collaborative efforts of the New Jersey Asthma Advisory Board highlights the critical importance of updated asthma education and the essential role of community health workers in distributing this education. There is a pressing need for increased guidance and education from healthcare professionals to children and their families regarding asthma management. Future initiatives should focus on enhancing asthma education, ensuring that it is accessible and effectively implemented across communities through improved and ongoing partnerships with community health workers. By addressing health literacy and leveraging the expertise of community health workers, we can better support individuals in managing their asthma and reducing the overall burden of the disease in New Jersey.
