Environmental Improvements Brought by the Legal Interventions in the Homes of Poorly Controlled Inner-City Adult Asthmatic Patients
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Patients received legal assistance at a New York City medical clinical to improve rental housing environments by demanding that landlords fix leaks, exterminate pests, or provide a different apartment.
Goal / Mission
The goal is to use a medical-legal collaborative intervention to force landlords into maintaining healthy living conditions for residents with poorly controlled asthma.
Impact
This proof-of concept study exhibits that medical-legal collaboration can significantly impact the control of inner-city asthmatics by improving their domestic environment.
Results / Accomplishments
ED visits and hospital admissions declined 91% (from 22 ED visits and 11 admissions to 2 ED visits and 1 admission). All patients had reductions in dose and/or number of medications post-intervention, and 92% (11) dropped 2 or more classes in asthma severity.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
Topics
Environmental Health / Built Environment
Environmental Health
Environmental Health / Environmental Justice
Environmental Health
Environmental Health / Environmental Justice
Organization(s)
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
Source
Journal of Asthma
Date of publication
10/1/2012
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
New York City, New York
For more details
Submitted By
HCI