About Us

Who We Are

The Massachusetts Asthma Advocacy Partnership (MAAP) is a program of Health Resources in Action (HRiA), whose mission is to reduce asthma health disparities and improve the quality of life for all people with asthma in the Commonwealth by coordinating statewide efforts. MAAP is the only statewide asthma partnership that links to local efforts across the state and brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to achieve sustainable statewide changes in the environment, education and quality of health care as they relate to asthma.

Why We Are Needed

Massachusetts has one of the highest state asthma rates for both adults and children in the country.  In fact, the whole New England region has rates above the U.S. average.  As reported by the Asthma Regional Council, the rates in New England are climbing instead of decreasing. 

Attacking Health Disparities

The focus of MAAP’s efforts is improving asthma for adults and children across the Commonwealth, especially in those regions with high asthma hospitalization rates.  We understand asthma in Boston is different than asthma in the Berkshires.  Our strategies encompass the geographic differences from across the state.   We especially care about health disparities in asthma. 

What’s Next

Currently, MAAP has over 80 members, with representation from asthma coalitions, health centers, hospitals, parents of children with asthma, health insurers, voluntary organizations, unions, community-based organizations, school nurses, physicians, local boards of health, community activists, and others. MAAP is led by a steering committee and has five active sub-committees: Health Homes, Schools, Health and Occupational/Adult Asthma. For the year 2011, MAAP will focus on building its membership, understanding the diverse needs across the state, and developing an advocacy strategy.