Innovative School-Based Asthma Program Enhances Student Health and Reduces Healthcare Costs

Asthma affects nearly 5 million children in the United States, causing significant challenges due to the narrowing of airways. While there is no definitive cure for asthma, it can be effectively managed through anti-inflammatory medications. However, ensuring that children adhere to their medication schedules, particularly during school hours, can prove to be a daunting task.

To address this issue, a collaborative initiative known as School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) has been introduced. This program fosters a partnership between educational institutions, school nurses, healthcare providers, insurance companies, pharmacies, and families to improve asthma management among students.

Evidence gathered from the program indicates that students appreciate the responsibility of managing their medications, which allows them to enjoy outdoor activities and experience improved health outcomes when they consistently take their prescribed medications. School nurses play a pivotal role by administering these medications during school hours according to the specific guidelines provided by healthcare professionals.

Research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology highlights the positive impact of SBAT on children aged 5 to 19 in Columbus, Ohio. The program, which incurs an average annual cost of $1,500 per student, has been shown to save between $5,000 and $7,000 in medical expenses each year. This reduction in costs is attributed to the significant decrease in asthma-related health issues and the corresponding healthcare expenses.

The results from the research are noteworthy: over a one-year period involving 633 students, SBAT led to a 49% reduction in emergency department visits, a 41% decrease in urgent care visits, a 50% drop in hospitalizations, and a remarkable 71% reduction in admissions to pediatric intensive care units.

Initial financial analyses indicate that while the program may initially cost approximately $3,000 per student annually, this expense can diminish to around $500 once the program is fully operational and established in schools.

Furthermore, controlled asthma results in fewer acute medical visits, leading to considerable savings. The financial breakdown of potential savings for various medical visits includes:

• Acute care: $100 per visit
• Urgent care: $150 per visit
• Emergency department: $1,993 per visit
• Hospitalization: $14,787 per visit
• Pediatric intensive care unit: $46,961 per visit

Overall, the research team identified annual savings totaling over $3.4 million, distributed among different types of medical visits. Parents involved in the program reported fewer emergency room visits and reduced time away from work, with one family noting they hadn't required an emergency visit in nearly a year.

In addition to healthcare savings, preliminary data indicates that SBAT has led to a reduction in missed instructional time and behavioral issues among participating students. Specifically, elementary students experienced a 16% decrease in missed class time, while those in middle and high school saw a 25% reduction. Moreover, behavioral incidents such as disruptions, conflicts, and vandalism decreased by 7%, contributing positively to the learning environment and allowing schools to benefit from federal attendance reimbursements.

With six years of data already collected, the research team is conducting a comprehensive economic evaluation that will encompass medical costs, staff time, and the impact of caregiver work absence. Findings from this evaluation are expected to be published later in 2025.