Asthma affects more than 4 million US children, with the greatest burden falling on historically marginalized populations due to systemic barriers in care. The School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) program addresses these disparities by providing guideline-based controller medications through directly observed therapy in schools. Implemented in Columbus, Ohio, without research staff support, SBAT reached children in low-resource communities who often lack consistent healthcare access. Over six years, the program significantly improved asthma control and reduced emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care admissions—while also demonstrating cost savings and more symptom-free days.
Children of all ages, races, and genders benefited from SBAT, with the most notable improvements among Black and Latino children. Gains in asthma control and reduced healthcare use were consistent across groups, helping close long-standing disparities. These results show school-based care can overcome barriers to medication adherence and access. SBAT’s real-world success highlights its potential for broader adoption—not only for asthma, but also as a model for managing other chronic pediatric conditions. Sustainable expansion will require investment in training, infrastructure, and community-based strategies to ensure equitable outcomes.
Reference: Arcoleo K, McGovern C, Allen E, et al. School-based asthma therapy: Improving medication adherence, asthma control, and health care utilization. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2025 Jan 31;4(2):100428. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100428. PMID: 40091882; PMCID: PMC11909713.
