Pediatric Emergency Room Visits

Data Source: DC Hospital Association, Center for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (CPPE), DC Department of Health Why This Matters Asthma affects over 20 million people in the U.S., including nearly 5 million children, with significant racial and ethnic disparities in its prevalence, health impacts, and mortality. In children, asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and school absences. Asthma places a heavy economic burden on families and the healthcare system. Children of color, especially Black children, are more likely to have asthma, be hospitalized, and die from it than white children, and are also less likely to access preventive care. Systemic racial inequities that shape the lives of communities of color contribute to disparities in children’s overall health and asthma outcomes. The District Response The District’s Asthma Control Program implements community and data-driven approaches to reduce the burden of asthma and eliminate asthma-related inequities among District residents. The Asthma Control Program also collaborates with the School Health Services Program (SHSP) staff to link and coordinate the care of students with clinical providers, develop asthma action plans, and increase adherence to their daily asthma maintenance medication regimen. DC Health’s Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau works closely with health systems, community-based organizations, government agencies, and other key partners to provide data, consultation, technical assistance, and leadership to improve cancer and chronic disease health outcomes among all District residents.