TABLE 1.

Examples and Numbers of Policy and System Changes (N = 89) Achieved by Allies Against Asthma Coalitions in 7 US Locations, 2002–2006

Improvement Domain	No. of Changes	Examples
Clinical practice	25 (11 policy and 14 systems)	Training for nurses and respiratory therapists providing asthma management education to patients was institutionalized through the creation and continued funding of an asthma coordinator position in the children's hospital (Milwaukee, WI).
		Asthma is one of the disease focus tracks that health facilities can select from the state-supported agenda of clinical learning collaboratives (Washington State).
Coordination/standardization	25 (10 policy and 15 systems)	Community health workers provide asthma care coordination that includes interaction with clinicians, schools, and legal aid and environmental agencies (Long Beach, CA).
		Telephone-based community-wide care coordination system that assesses individual family needs, provides support, and refers families to clinical and community services was established (Philadelphia, PA).
Environmental conditions	18 (10 policy and 8 systems)	City councils in 4 cities enacted ordinances banning smoking in restaurants (Hampton Roads, VA).
		Legislation was passed that prohibits idling of diesel trucks in neighborhoods (Long Beach, CA).
Efforts to improve asthma management by families	4 (1 policy and 3 systems)	“Asthma Days” management education was adopted and continuously offered by a larger number of community clinics/practices (Hampton Roads, VA).
		“Awesome Asthma School Days” management education was institutionalized with support from the children's hospital (Milwaukee, WI).
Other improvements	17 (13 policy and 4 systems)	Legislation was passed that protects a child's right to take asthma medication at school (Puerto Rico).
		Policy was enacted that allows children with a valid action plan to carry and self-administer life-saving asthma and anaphylaxis medication in school settings (Washington, DC).

Note. Brief descriptions of all 89 changes can be found at http://www.asthma.umich.edu or http://cmcd.sph.umich.edu/allies-against-asthma.html.