Asthma is the most serious common chronic disease of childhood, affecting more than six million American children, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The incidence of asthma has increased in all ages, but the rate for school-aged children exploded by 75% between 1979 and 1996.  Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism (more than 14 million missed days each year), accounts for one third of all pediatric emergency visits, is the third cause of hospitalization, and is the fourth most common cause of urgent doctor office visits.  Statistics have also shown that African American children, while only slightly more likely to get asthma than their Caucasian counterparts, are at a much higher risk of hospitalization or death due to the disease, and their quality of life is affected dramatically.  Gerald B. Kolski, M.D., Ph. D., Chairman of Pediatrics at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, and Medical Director of K.A.M.P., collected data through physicals of area school children that noted over 20% of Chester-Upland children were determined to have, or be at risk for asthma, much higher than the national average of 6% to 8%. 

In Spring of 1999 the school-based K.A.M.P. program was developed and is run by a full-time pediatric nurse practitioner, Susan Miller, CRNP, APRN, BC.  Currently in its fifth year of implementation, the program is designed to identify Chester-Upland area school children with, or at risk for, asthma and provide asthma management and support services.  K.A.M.P. personnel work collaboratively with children and their families, nurses, teachers and other school personnel, area health care providers (including the child's primary care provider), and the Chester-Upland community to help children and their families face the challenges of managing their disease both at home and at school. 

For more information about the Kids Asthma Management Program, contact Susan Miller, CRNP at (610) 497-7434.