• Aimee L Speck, Michael Hess, and Alan P Baptist.
• Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jan 1; 4 (1): 89-95.e2.

BackgroundHealth disparities are seen in many chronic conditions including asthma. Young African American adults represent a population at high risk for poor asthma outcomes due to both their minority status and the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood. Recruitment and retention has been challenging in this demographic stratum, and traditional asthma education is often not feasible.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to develop and assess the feasibility of an electronic asthma self-management program for young African American adults.MethodsA total of 44 African American adults (age 18-30 years) with uncontrolled persistent asthma were enrolled in an asthma self-management program. The 6-week Breathe Michigan program (predicated on the social cognitive theory) was tailored specifically to the concerns and preferences of young African American adults. The entire program was completed electronically, without any specialized human support. At 2 weeks and 3 months after program completion, participants were contacted for follow-up.ResultsA total of 89% of enrolled subjects completed the 6-week intervention, and 77% were available for evaluation at 3 months. All subjects completing the 2-week postprogram survey reported that the program was helpful, and 97% would recommend it to others. Asthma control as measured by the Asthma Control Test improved from 16.1 to 19.3 (P < .01), and asthma quality of life as measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire improved from 4.0 to 5.1 (P < .01).ConclusionsThe Breathe Michigan program is feasible for recruitment and retention, and demonstrated an improvement in asthma control and quality of life for young African American adults.Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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