MAAP Coalition Meeting: Advancing Air Quality with Groundwork MA

On November 5th, 2025, the MAAP Coalition hosted a webinar focused on advancing air quality with Groundwork MA. Presented by the Healthy Air Network in collaboration with Groundwork trusts across Massachusetts, the session brought together environmental advocates, public health professionals, and community organizers committed to building healthier communities through grassroots air quality monitoring.

Key Highlights from the Session:

• Community Data Findings: Attendees learned about key air quality data collected by Groundwork MA partners over the past year.

• Environmental Connections: Presenters shared how these findings align with ongoing community-based environmental projects.

• Action Strategies: Participants explored practical approaches for translating data into meaningful, on-the-ground impact.

Presenters included:

• Jeremy Hoffman, Groundwork USA

• Alejandra Juarez-Diaz, Groundwork Lawrence

• Eric Andrade, Groundwork Southcoast

• Kenzie Ballard, Groundwork Somerville

This session underscored the importance of equipping communities with the tools, data, and partnerships needed to advance environmental justice and improve air quality statewide.

MAAP Coalition Meeting: Tobacco & Nicotine Cessation Support in Massachusetts

On September 3rd, 2025, the MAAP Coalition hosted a webinar focused on advancing tobacco and nicotine cessation efforts statewide. Presented by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP) at the Department of Public Health and the UMass Chan Medical School’s Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT), the session brought together healthcare providers, public health professionals, and care coordinators committed to helping residents quit tobacco for good.

Key Highlights from the Session:

• Statewide Resources: Attendees learned about free, evidence-based programs available to support individuals in their quit journey, including the Massachusetts Tobacco Quitline.

• Provider Support: The CTTRT team shared training, education, and technical assistance opportunities for providers across Massachusetts.

• Referral Tools: Participants received guidance on how to refer patients to the Quitline, including access to a fax referral form for streamlined support.

This session underscored the importance of equipping providers with the tools and knowledge to help patients make successful quit attempts.

MAAP Coalition Meeting: Extreme Heat and Outdoor Worker Health

On June 4, 2025, MAAP hosted a timely webinar focused on protecting workers, residents, and communities from the growing threats of extreme heat. The session featured Al Vega, MAAP Steering Committee member and Chief of Strategy & Engagement at MassCOSH, along with representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health (BCEH).

The session highlighted practical strategies and new tools developed by BCEH to support public health professionals, labor advocates, and local leaders in responding to dangerous heat across the state.

Key takeaways from the session include:

• Massachusetts Unhealthy Heat Forecast: BCEH unveiled its new Unhealthy Heat Forecast tool, providing real-time, location-based alerts and guidance. Designed for use by clinicians, community members, and municipal leaders, it’s an essential resource for planning and responding to days with hazardous heat levels.

• Community Health and Safety Guidance: BCEH reviewed its updated Extreme Heat Guidance, outlining how to protect vulnerable populations during high-heat events through hydration, cooling access, risk communication, and outreach.

• Labor and Workplace Safety Advocacy: Al Vega spoke about the need for stronger protections for outdoor and frontline workers. Participants discussed opportunities to embed worker safety standards related to heat into local and state policies.

MAAP Coalition Meeting: Rental Registries and Their Role in Promoting Healthy Housing

On April 2nd, 2025, experts from Boston and Worcester discussed their cities’ rental registry programs aimed at improving housing conditions through proactive inspections.

Boston’s Rental Registry
Boston’s Inspectional Services Department oversees the city’s rental registry, ensuring all rental units are safe and sanitary.

• Registration: Required for all rental units, with options to register online, by mail, or in person.

• Inspection Ordinance: A re-written ordinance allows for proactive inspections.

• Metrics: Success is measured by complaints and the number of registered units.

Worcester’s Rental Registry
Worcester’s program, now in the inspection phase, aims to improve housing quality by targeting areas with health disparities.

• Proactive Inspections: Data from UMass Medical School guides prioritization of areas for inspection.

• Inclusion: Covers all rental properties except owner-occupied units in multifamily buildings.

• Costs: $15 for the first inspection, $5 for renewals.

• Compliance: Landlords must live within 60 miles of the property or designate a local property manager.

Compliance and Data Use
Both cities emphasize compliance. Worcester uses fines and failure-to-register letters, while Boston calls landlords directly to enforce registration. Data, such as health metrics, helps identify priority inspection areas.

Success Metrics

• Boston: Focuses on the number of complaints and new registrants.

• Worcester: Aims for 60% registration of known rental units.

By utilizing data and proactive inspection strategies, both cities are working to create safer and healthier housing environments.

MAAP Coalition Meeting: Advancing Asthma Care: Emerging Therapies and Guidelines with Dr. Robyn Cohen

On February 5th, 2025, Dr. Robyn Cohen, a pediatric pulmonologist at Boston Medical Center, delivered a compelling presentation at the MAAP Coalition Meeting, "Advancing Asthma Care: Emerging Therapies and Guidelines." The session provided valuable insights into the latest developments in asthma management for children, with a focus on improving care for all children, irrespective of their clinic attendance. 

Dr. Cohen discussed her work with WellSense and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to bridge asthma care gaps. She also shared her expertise on the recent updates to asthma medication guidelines, including the SMART (Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) and AIR (Anti-inflammatory Reliever) approaches. Dr. Cohen emphasized the need for targeted interventions to address asthma-related disparities, particularly in reducing emergency visits among children from minority communities. 

Key takeaways from the session include: 

• The 2020 asthma management updates, recommending a combination inhaler for moderate persistent asthma to streamline treatment. 

• The importance of regular asthma assessments and clarifying common confusion around inhaler use. 

• Dr. Cohen’s insights on biologics for severe asthma patients, highlighting how these treatments target the root causes of symptoms and improve patient outcomes. 

The session also covered efforts by MassHealth WellSense ACO to enhance asthma management, access to biologics for Medicaid patients, and the services offered by the Boston Public Health Commission. 

HEAL Districts Present at the MAAP Coalition Meeting!

On December 4th, 2024, the HEAL districts hosted a dynamic presentation at the MAAP Coalition Meeting, “From Policies to Practice: How Schools Are Adapting for Asthma-Friendly Learning.” This meeting brought together key stakeholders to share the innovative ways in which schools are implementing asthma-friendly policies and practices. The districts presented their strategies for improving environmental health conditions and highlighted the short-term actions and policies they are piloting to support students with asthma. 

To learn more about the projects and the valuable insights shared, you can watch the full recording of the meeting and access the presentation materials [here]. 

Additionally, the following key resources were shared during the session: 

• Strategic Plan for Asthma in MA  

• MDPH's & MAAP's Clearing the Air Toolkit 

• MAAP's HEAL Webpage, featuring links to HEAL Modules that are available for CEUs through NEUSHA. 

• Asthma: SMART Therapy & More, NIH 2020 Asthma Clinical Guideline Update, also available for CEUs through NEUSHA. 

• Lynn Public Schools Staff Handbook 

• Funding Opportunity: EPA's Clean School Bus Rebate Program 

For more specific guidance on extreme heat policies, the following resources were highlighted: 

• Holyoke Public Schools' Extreme Heat Policy and Resources 

• Tools from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB), designed to help districts manage extreme heat, including customizable policy templates for: 

• District Wellness Policy  

• Faculty and Staff Handbooks  

• Emergency Cancellation, Delay, and Early Dismissal Procedures 

lynn handbook

Holyoke Public Schools' Extreme Heat Policy and Resources 

Haverhill public schools, emergency action plan

new bedford heal presentation

MAAP Coalition Meeting: Understanding Air Quality: Insights from the Healthy Air Network

On October 2, 2024, the MAAP Coalition hosted a valuable session focused on local air quality issues, their impact on public health, and strategies to improve our environment. This meeting provided participants with insights into regional trends and findings, specifically from Western Massachusetts. 

The session featured expert presentations from Sarita Hudson of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Billy Spitzer from the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, and Destiny Gonzalez from Health Resources in Action. They shared critical data from their ongoing work, offering a closer look at air quality challenges and their direct effects on public health. 

Presenters discussed key strategies for improving air quality at the community level, empowering participants with practical knowledge to tackle these issues locally. Attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of how air pollution impacts public health and how communities can collaborate to make meaningful changes for cleaner, healthier environments.