Kids Asthma Management Program (K.A.M.P.)
Asthma is the most serious common chronic disease of childhood, affecting more than six million American children, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
The incidence of asthma has increased in all ages, but the rate for school-aged children exploded by 75% between 1979 and 1996. Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism (more than 14 million missed days each year), accounts for one third of all pediatric emergency visits, is the third cause of hospitalization, and is the fourth most common cause of urgent doctor office visits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report in 2009 that Minority and low-income children are disproportionately affected by asthma. Compared with White children, Black children are more likely to have asthma, to visit the emergency room and to be hospitalized for asthma-related symptoms. Black children are approximately one and a half times more likely to ever have been diagnosed with asthma than White children.
Gerald B. Kolski, M.D., Ph. D., former Chairman of Pediatrics at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, collected data through physicals of area school children that noted over 20% of Chester-Upland children were determined to have, or be at risk for asthma, much higher than the national average of 6% to 8%. In 2008 in Pennsylvania the Lifetime asthma prevalence for children, under age 18, was approximately 14%.
In the Spring of 1999 the school-based K.A.M.P. program was developed. The program is designed to provide school-based asthma identification, education and support services originally serving in the Chester/Upland, Chichester and Upper Darby school districts. It now serves all school districts and Early Learning Centers/Daycares in Delaware County
KAMP Objectives are:
- Increase participation of students with asthma in all school
activities including physical education and sports.
- Increase self-management of asthma by students.
- Improve self-perception of asthmatic students.
- Reduce exposure to known allergens and irritants in the school and in the home.
KAMP services include:
- Asthma Screening
- Referral to Lung Function Testing.
- Group Education for students, parents and school staff
- Distribution of Asthma Action Plan Forms to encourage the development of individualized management plans.
- Facilitate Partnership between families, school nurses, healthcare providers and others in asthma management.
- Support of Special Programs: Asthma Camps, Asthma Awareness Days, Community Asthma Awareness.
In 2010 KAMP received a 3-year grant from the PA DEP/EPA to conduct a home-based environmental remediation and education program for Chester City, the Chester Home Asthma Prevention Program (CHAPP). KAMP worked with the Chester Environmental Partnership on this initiative that ended in September 2012.
For more information about the Kids Asthma Management Program, contact us at 610-447-6030.
