A Community Health Worker Model to Address Childhood Asthma: Perspectives of Program Participants

In 2011, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Little Sisters began implementation of Controlling Asthma through Home Remediation (CAHR), a demonstration of their program model, specifically targeting families living in public housing. The demonstration included an evaluation of the program by The New York Academy of Medicine (the Academy)—findings included statistically significant reductions in nighttime awakenings, emergency department visits, and use of rescue medications. As part of the evaluation, a sample of 17 caregivers participated in interviews, with questions that focused on their perceptions of program quality, impact, and lessons learned. As described in this report, caregivers noted that CHWs helped them to develop knowledge and skills to reduce household asthma triggers; in addition, CHWs and Little Sisters proved to be influential advocates, facilitating the settlement of complaints with housing management.