Asthma in Minnesota is less of a health concern than ever before, as the latest data shows that more and more children are getting their asthma under control. This is according to the sixth annual Health Care Disparities Report conducted by MN Community Measurement for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and even includes children covered by Medicaid programmes. However, wellness experts have commented that much more work remains to be done.
Fairview Medical Group clinics are responsible for illustrating the improvements brought about by optimal asthma management, as this is where 186 more children – who were covered by publicly funded health care programmes – met the state’s goals in the second year of tracking asthma care. In terms of this health concern, as well as childhood immunisations, sore throat care and cervical and breast cancer screening, it seems that the disparities gap is shrinking. According to Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, ‘The progress made in asthma care and other areas is encouraging, but it also shows how critical it is to keep our focus on reducing health care disparities. This annual report gives us an important update on where we stand.’
Jim Chase, president of Minnesota Community Measurement, explained, ‘People in publicly funded programmes, especially those of colour or with language barriers, have worse results from their health care than the general public. The key to our work has been to show where medical groups have improved results for those patients and then share the information to encourage others to change.’
Sarah C. Fuerstenberg, MD, of the Fairview Wyoming paediatric clinic, commented that empowering and educating families is a vital part of improving asthmatic wellbeing. She noted a case in which a single mother brought her son in after his fifth bout of wheezing, and admitted that she dreaded hearing the diagnosis: asthma. ‘The idea of asthma terrified her, but in fact she had brought him in when she was supposed to,’ said Fuerstenberg. ‘My first goal when I give a patient an asthma diagnosis is to reassure them they are going to live a normal life and do the things they want to do.’ She added that, as a parent, it’s important that you know about the danger signs of asthma and when you need to see a health care provider.