Engaging with the Richmond Community to Reduce Pediatric Asthma Disparities: Findings from a Community-engaged Needs Assessment

Childhood asthma disparities persist, with children living in low-income areas experiencing worse morbidity. We partnered with a community-academic research team and stakeholders to conduct a needs assessment to understand barriers and supports to asthma treatment. We convened a community advisory board, comprised of parents of children with asthma, youth with asthma, and members of key community organizations. Two focus groups with parents of children with asthma and four focus groups with youth with asthma were conducted, and a survey was administered to 100 parents. A visual mapping process was used to gather qualitative data about barriers, strategies, and outcomes, and allowed advisory board members to interpret focus group and survey data within the lived experiences of families. Focus group themes included parent stress/anxiety, concerns about school nurses, and lack of trust in providers. Findings from focus groups and surveys suggested that emergency department visits were not perceived negatively by families, although health providers and researchers generally view them as such. Public health implications include systemic changes that allow the healthcare system to address families' acute needs and worry. A community program focused on education and coordination among families, schools, and medical homes might improve asthma outcomes at the population level. Highlights This study used a community-engaged approach to understand needs related to childhood asthma. Stakeholders participated in focus groups, survey administration, and a community advisory board. Findings provide intervention recommendations for reducing asthma-related healthcare use. Programs could include community health workers to coordinate a child's asthma care. Public health implications include systemic changes that address families' acute needs and worry.