Weatherization For At Risk Asthma Patients (Wrap)
Study on How Environmental Changes Affect Asthma
Nadia Krupp, MD
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
This study will investigate the health effects of a community environmental remediation program on asthma control and outcomes. The long-term goal of this study is to inform future prospective studies exploring environmental interventions in children and adolescents with poorly controlled severe asthma.
Objectives:
- Recruit and complete weatherization services for at least 20 families per year over the next 5 years
- Determine the percentage reduction in acute care events for patients of patients whose homes undergo weatherization
- Determine whether the weatherization program shows improvements in quality of life
Detailed description of study
Clinical Data (Control and Intervention Groups)
Clinically available data will be collected from the electronic health record (EHR) for analysis
Survey Data (Control and Intervention groups)
Surveys will be completed at baseline (prior to initiation of any housing intervention), 1-3 months after intervention complete, and 10-14 months after completion of all interventions. Surveys may be completed in clinic, or if no clinic visit falls in those time periods, then surveys will be sent by Redcap
Environmental Data (Intervention group only)
The following environmental data will be collected as part of the community intervention program, using commercially available sensors and equipment. Consent for monitoring will be performed through the community intervention program. Summative data will be imported once sampling is complete.
Energy data (Intervention group only)
Energy usage data will be collected by INCAA per their program requirements. Summary data will be imported into Redcap as a measure of the effectiveness of interventions.
The study period will occur from September 1, 2025-December 31, 2034. Subject recruitment will occur over a 6 year period, with an additional 3 years allowed for completion of interventions and collection of post-intervention data.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Asthma, Riley
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Age: 100 years or below
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Gender: All
Inclusion criteria
Intervention Group:
1. Diagnosis of asthma
2. Followed by Riley Hospital for Children Division of Pediatric Pulmonology Allergy and Sleep
3. 3+ acute care episodes (steroid courses, hospitalization, ED visits) in the last year
4. Single unit residence
5. Same residence for the last 12 months
6. Anticipate same residence for at least next 18 months
Control group:
A comparison control group will be identified as patients who meet the Inclusion Criteria 1-3 but not 4-6 above, i.e.:
1. Diagnosis of asthma
2. Followed by Riley Hospital for Children Division of Pediatric Pulmonology Allergy and Sleep
3. 3+ acute care episodes (steroid courses, hospitalization, ED visits) in the last year
AND any of the following:
4. Declined housing interventions
5. Multi-unit housing
6. Same residence for <12 months throughout study period
This study investigates how changes in the environment can affect asthma control and health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to see if improving the living conditions of children and adolescents with severe asthma can help manage their symptoms better. Asthma is a condition where the airways in the lungs become narrow and swollen, causing breathing difficulties.
Participants will be divided into two study arms: one group will receive weatherization services, and the other will not. Weatherization involves making homes more energy-efficient and healthy. Surveys will be conducted at different times to collect information on the participants' health and quality of life. Additionally, data will be collected from medical records and environmental sensors to understand the impact of the interventions.
- Who can participate: Children and adolescents with asthma followed by the Riley Hospital for Children, having 3 or more acute care episodes in the past year, and living in a single-unit residence.
- Study details: The intervention group will receive weatherization services to improve their home environment. Health data will be collected through surveys and medical records.
- Study timelines: The study will last from September 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034.
