An aggressive new program has significantly reduced asthma attacks in children at the Harlem community center headed by Geoffrey Canada, 1st Human Condition Heinz Award. These attacks are often triggered by environmental factors. The Harlem Children's Zone Asthma Initiative was introduced five years ago to reduce the instances of asthma attack among the 5,000 children living in the 60-block area. A disturbingly high 33 percent of the children in central Harlem suffer from the disease.
Early findings after three months show that 9 percent of the children affected by the disease were taken to the emergency room, down from 35 percent before the initiative; less than 1 percent were hospitalized, down from 9 percent; and 8 percent of children missed school for asthma-related reasons, down from 25 percent.
The prevention program involves early screening, a daily medicine regime and preventative measures around the house including regular vacuuming and using special bed linens to reduce the children's exposure to dust mites and other environmental triggers for asthma. The New York Times called Harlem Children's Zone "one of the most ambitious social experiments of our time." As president and CEO, Mr. Canada oversees the interlocking network of social service, education and community-building programs that enhance the quality of life for thousands of children and their families in some of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods.
Children's Zone "one of the most ambitious social experiments of our time." As president and CEO, Mr. Canada oversees the interlocking network of social service, education and community-building programs that enhance the quality of life for thousands of children and their families in some of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods.
