A comprehensive educational program improves clinical outcome measures in inner-city patients with asthma.

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Abstract
ALTHOUGH ASTHMA is a common disease, effective diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge owing to the heterogeneity of disease presentation, exacerbating factors, and severity. Effective pharmacotherapy in asthma requires substantial cooperation and education of the patient to promote adherence to a prescribed regimen. Possibly as a consequence of these factors, asthma morbidity and mortality are increasing.1-7 In the United States, morbidity and mortality seem to be increasing disproportionately in indigent, inner-city patients with asthma.8-14 Although the precise factors that contribute to these increases remain unknown, access to health care, differences in exposure to aeroallergens, smoking, and psychosocial factors may all play a role.15-17