Improving Asthma Outcomes: Evidence-Based Health Policy Priorities

In 2008, the American Lung Association convened a conference of policy leaders and asthma experts to identify policies that, if implemented at the local, state, and federal levels, would reduce asthma morbidity and mortality. The consensus process resulted in 19 policy recommendations grouped in 6 major categories—public health infrastructure and surveillance, outdoor air pollution, health-care systems and financing, homes, schools, and workplaces—that were later developed into the National Asthma Public Policy Agenda. The project establishes a blueprint for national asthma policy that advocates and organizations around the nation can embrace. A successful impact in the fight against asthma requires intervention at different levels simultaneously and tools beyond those used in the medical care of the disease. It also requires the participation of diverse stakeholders, including physicians and other health professionals. By using their expertise to influence public policy, physicians can improve health out...