In partnership with the MA Department of Public Health, MAAP facilitates the process of developing, planning, and implementing the five-year Strategic Plan for Asthma in Massachusetts. The document represents a collaborative effort from many stakeholders to provide a strategic direction for reducing the burden of asthma while reducing disparities in asthma outcomes. Our strategic plan represents a coordinated approach that targets both the clinical and environmental aspects of asthma. It relies on a strong surveillance system to inform its work. Active statewide and local partnerships are required to accomplish these goals. The strategic plan is a living document that reflects the priorities of the partners and the opportunities available at the time of drafting.

 

Strategic Plan for Asthma in MA: 2022 - 2026

The plan is available for download here.

This plan includes broad goals and strategies for the state to focus on four priority areas: schools, housing, outdoor air quality, and clinical care & linkages.

Promoting health and racial equity were guiding principles for the plan, as was prioritizing the following communities: Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Holyoke Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester. These eleven cities were identified as having the highest burden of asthma in Massachusetts based according to higher asthma hospitalization/ED rates, higher prevalence of COVID-19, and lower ICE scores (Index of Concentrations at the Extremes), a ratio of the concentration of the most privileged to the concentration of the most deprived in a given community.

When completed, the plan will be posted on both MA DPH APCP’s and MAAP’s website.