Mary Alice Lee, Ph.D. and Amanda Learned, B.A.

This research report on asthma prevalence among children enrolled in HUSKY A (Medicaid managed care) finds that in 2007, about 11 percent of children in HUSKY A received care for a primary diagnosis of asthma or filled at least four prescriptions for treatment of asthma. The burden of disease was disproportionately high among young children 1 to 5, boys, Hispanic children, and children living in Bridgeport.

Children with asthma made an average of 3.2 office or clinic visits for care, but few were seen more than once, as recommended by national guidelines. Fifteen percent had emergency care. Just over two percent were hospitalized for treatment of asthma.

Relatively few children received timely office or clinic visits following an emergency visit for treatment of asthma (24%) or a hospital discharge (52%). Follow-up rates have not improved in recent years and are well below treatment guidelines.

About 82 percent of children with persistent asthma filled any prescriptions for long-term control medications (preferred therapies). The percentages of school-aged children and adolescents who received appropriate medications for asthma management were at or below age-specific rates reported for other Medicaid managed care plans nationwide. (June 2009)

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