August 29, 2006

Nassau County Department of Health Asthma Control Program
Honored for Excellence in Public Health

The Nassau County Department of Health was honored recently by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for implementing a program that demonstrates exemplary and replicable qualities in response to a local public health need. The Asthma Control Program was one of only 19 local public health programs selected from across the nation to receive the prestigious NACCHO Model Practice Award.

Selected from a group of 85 local health department applications, the Nassau County Asthma Program targets children and their families who reside in underserved communities where there is a disproportionately high incidence of asthma. The program provides families with individualized education and intervention plans. Children who have completed the program have decreased asthma symptoms, less school absenteeism, fewer emergency room visits and significantly less hospitalizations. This program has been supported, in part, by a grant from the Asthma Coalition of Long Island.

“We are very proud to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Health Commissioner Dr. David Ackman. “We believe this award demonstrates once again our commitment to provide innovative and practical public health programs for the residents of Nassau County.”

The Model Practice Awards Program honors initiative, including programs, resources and tools, which demonstrate how local health departments and their community partners can effectively collaborate to address local public health concerns. The Asthma Program will become part of NACCHO’s online, searchable database of successful public health practices in areas ranging from immunization and maternal and child health to infectious diseases and emergency preparedness. The database will allow NACCHO to share information about what is working across the county in local public health.

“The Nassau County Department of Health and its innovative asthma program joins a special group of health departments that exemplify the forward think, proactive attitude of our nation’s public health system,” said NACCHO President Poki Namkung.

For more information about the asthma program, call the Nassau County Department of Health weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. at (516) 571-2177.