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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
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