While there is substantial information and research on asthma management, there is a great need for for research, policies and programs to prevent the initial onset of asthma. Between 2001 and 2010 the proportion of U.S. residents with asthma has increased 14.8%. Clinical efforts have been successful to help manage asthma, however there is still little understanding of how to prevent new cases of the disease.

In 2009 Massachusetts became the first state to pursue the primary prevention of asthma through The 2009-2014 Strategic Plan for Asthma in Massachusetts. Goal 4 was to “to develop a roadmap for better understanding the causes of asthma and the role of primary prevention in Massachusetts.” Since then MAAP, in partnership with the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, supported the coordination of an evidence review, established a planning committee, and designed and convened a two day symposium on current evidence, research needs and opportunities for action.

This groundbreaking commitment contributed to the creation of Goal 5 of the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan for Asthma in Massachusetts: to Advance the Primary Prevention of Asthma in Massachusetts.

MAAP's Primary Prevention Task Force is led by Dr. Polly Hoppin ScD, Program Director of the Environmental Health Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Health and Environment.

Contact us if you are interested in joining the Primary Prevention Task Force.