Asthma
The Asthma Control Program (ACP) is dedicated to reducing the burden of asthma in New Hampshire.
The Asthma Control Program (ACP) is dedicated to reducing the burden of asthma in New Hampshire. Through data surveillance, implementation of public health interventions, and partnerships with stakeholders, the ACP supports the Division of Public Health Services’ broader mission to promote optimal health and well-being for all people in the state. The program works in line with the NH State Asthma Plan, encompassing the following five central objectives:
- Strengthen program organizational structure and collaborative partnerships;
- Improve health outcomes by increasing adherence to national asthma education and prevention program guidelines;
- Increase capacity for asthma-healthy environments;
- Enhance public awareness and education; and,
- Enhance the asthma surveillance system to support program planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Through the NH Asthma Collaborative, ACP partners with numerous community organizations to support asthma management across the state.
The Burden of Asthma in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has some of the highest rates of asthma across the country, with 2014-2016 CDC estimates putting it as the state with the highest adult asthma prevalence. Asthma affects 13.2% of New Hampshire adults and 7.21% of New Hampshire children, accounting for over 4,000 Emergency Room visits and over $177 million in direct medical costs annually. The ACP supports numerous surveillance activities to help describe and understand how asthma affects New Hampshire citizens, and to target interventions to the areas most affected. Surveillance activities monitor asthma prevalence, mortality, hospitalizations, control, risk factors, and environmental contributors. Learn more in the Asthma Resources below for the latest reports on asthma in New Hampshire.
The NH Asthma Program is committed to implementing the CDC National Asthma Control Program’s strategies for helping people with asthma achieve improved quality of life. The six EXHALE strategies have been proven to reduce asthma-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and healthcare costs. Learn more about the EXALE strategies.