North Dakota State Asthma Workgroup

History:
In May of 2000, asthma was identified as a priority and addressed in a state performance measure for Childrens Special Health Services in the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. On Nov. 9, 2000, key partners came together for the first meeting of what was then known as the Childrens Asthma Workgroup. In 2001, the name of the workgroup was changed to the North Dakota State Asthma Workgroup to expand the focus to North Dakota residents of all ages. Representatives from public, private and tribal entities that include the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Public Instruction, medical providers, third-party payers, the university system and the American Lung Association meet three times a year. The coordinator of the group serves as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state asthma contact for North Dakota.

Goal:
The goal of the workgroup is to improve the health of residents in North Dakota who have asthma.

Four primary areas of focus for the North Dakota State Asthma Workgroup are:  

• Data

• Education

• Treatment

• Collaboration

To date, the workgroup has been instrumental in the creation of the North Dakota State Asthma Action Plan, the accompanying Physicians Desk Guide and the North Dakota Anaphylaxis Action Plan. The workgroup was also instrumental in helping pass legislation to enable students to possess and self-administer emergency asthma and anaphylaxis medications and provide training for medical and school personnel to help them meet the requirements of the law.

For more information about the North Dakota State Asthma Workgroup contact:

Kora Dockter, RN BSN Coordinator North Dakota State Asthma Workgroup Childrens Special Health Services Department of Health 600 East Boulevard Avenue Dept 301 Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 701.328.2436 1.800.755.2714 kldockter@nd.gov