Our Story
In 1997 The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, to establish the Community Asthma Prevention Program (CAPP) in West Philadelphia. The program would conduct classes for families in familiar environments such as community centers, churches and schools; measure knowledge acquisition and retention; and measure self-management behavior changes.
Origin of the program — community classes
Since 1997 CAPP has been conducting community education classes in schools, churches, daycare centers and other locations in Philadelphia. The curriculum used is based on You Can Control Asthma©, developed at Georgetown University, and classes are structured so that both parents, or caregivers, and children, can learn simultaneously. CAPP classes are currently offered in various areas of the city.
CAPP classes for parents and caregivers are group-facilitated by parent educators who have been trained by CAPP staff to conduct classes. The classes for children are led by teens and college students who are peer educators and who are trained to use the curriculum. Our goal in using a "train the trainer" model is to leave neighborhoods and communities with lay asthma experts and in this way, sustain asthma prevention efforts.
Measuring the success of community classes
Between 1997 and August 2006:
- 120 class series have been conducted in West Philadelphia, reaching approximately 2200 participants.
- 63 class series have been conducted in North Philadelphia, reaching more than 572 participants.
- Participant knowledge acquisition is measured by pre and post testing. Quality of life changes and self-management skills are also measured.
- The completion rate for five classes (one series) is approximately 75 percent of all participants.
We have demonstrated that asthma knowledge, asthma control and asthma quality of life have improved in participants who have attended classes and that this improvement is maintained for at least one year. In a study of 267 West Philadelphia class participants, retention of knowledge, asthma control and asthma quality of life significantly improved as compared to before class participation.
Program expansion
Home Visitor Program
In the latter part of 1998, CAPP began its Home Visitor Program in order to address the home environment of the asthmatic child. In this program, trained lay-educators or "home visitors" visit families of asthma patients who are enrolled in either our West Philadelphia or North Philadelphia studies. Enrolled patients meet several eligibility requirements, including resident zip code. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for our programs.
Childhood injury prevention education
In Spring 2006, the CAPP mission expanded to include injury prevention education when the Injury Free Coalition for Kids- Philadelphia found its new home base at CAPP. Formerly a part of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) at CHOP, IFCK-Philadelphia is now managed, and its activities are coordinated by, CAPP staff. The mission of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids- Philadelphia (IFCK- Philadelphia) is to advance the safety of children and young adults through community and academic partnerships
More information
Learn about CAPP partnerships »
Learn about our grants, awards and support »
Contact Us
- 215-590-5261
