Oral beta2-agonist use by preschool children with asthma in East and Central Harlem, New York.

Although studies have documented underuse of controller medications and overuse of short-acting inhaled ss(2)-agonist among children with persistent asthma in disadvantaged communities, the persistence of oral ss(2)-agonist use in pediatric practice has not been studied since inhaled short-acting ss(2)-agonists became widespread. We describe medications used to treat asthma among children 3 to 5 years of age at 10 Head Start and other subsidized preschool centers in East and Central Harlem, New York City. We interviewed 149 parents/guardians of children who were identified as having probable asthma based on physician's diagnosis, persistent symptoms, hospitalization, and medication use. We classified 86 of the 149 children (58%) as having current persistent asthma. Only 15 of them (17%) were reported to have used controller medications at least 5 days/week in the last 4 weeks-only 2 of whom used inhaled corticosteroids. By contrast, 53 children (62%) used oral ss(2)-agonist in the last 4 weeks, often (72%) in conjunction with nebulized or inhaled short-acting ss(2)-agonist. Use of oral ss(2)-agonist was associated with more severe symptoms. This study documents the continued widespread use of oral ss(2)-agonist for treatment of children in a low-income community with high prevalence of asthma.     

Broadening the reach of cardiac rehabilitation to rural and remote Australia.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has an evidence base but traditional models may not readily apply to people living in rural and remote regions. AIM:: To outline published comprehensive and non-hospital based CR models used for people discharged from hospital after a cardiac event that have potential relevance to those living in rural and remote areas in Australia. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched using Medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and the key word 'cardiac rehabilitation' limited to clinical trials. Articles were retrieved if they included at least two components of CR and were not based in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: No CR models specifically developed for rural and remote areas were identified. However, 14 studies were found that outlined 11 non-conventional comprehensive CR models. All provided CR in a home-based setting. Health professionals provided support via telephone contact or home visits, and via resources such as the Heart Manual. Reported outcomes from these CR programs varied: ranging from an increase in knowledge of risk factors, to improvements in physical activity, decreased risk factor profile, improved psychological and social functioning and reductions in health service costs and mortality. CONCLUSION: Home-based, CR models have the most substantive evidence base and, therefore the greatest potential to be developed and made accessible to eligible people living in rural and remote areas.