District Heights

Researchers are studying how to best implement and scale up an evidence-based asthma education program called ABC Asthma in low-income urban communities served by Head Start. This program has shown effectiveness in reducing asthma symptoms and the use of oral corticosteroids among preschool children, particularly those from minority backgrounds. The goal is to find sustainable ways to reduce asthma health disparities and improve child well-being through targeted staff and family education within community organizations. The study involves implementing the Maryland ABC HS Asthma program across 40 Head Start sites in four Maryland communities. Participants include Head Start staff such as teachers and family advocates, as well as children enrolled in Head Start with physician-diagnosed asthma. The project focuses on evaluating tailored implementation strategies developed in partnership with Head Start stakeholders to improve program adoption and effectiveness. Participants will be observed over five years to assess outcomes such as school absences due to asthma symptoms and the success of implementation efforts at both the staff and organizational levels. The study collects data on implementation processes and health outcomes to inform best practices for sustaining asthma interventions in low-resource community settings. Johns Hopkins University leads this observational study, which began in August 2020 and continues until July 2027.