Bill Overview
Title: Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act
Description: This bill expands various public health activities and related requirements concerning asthma. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must collaborate with state and local health departments to (1) conduct activities regarding asthma, including deterring the harmful consequences of uncontrolled asthma, and disseminating health education and information regarding prevention of asthma episodes and strategies for managing asthma; and (2) develop state plans incorporating public health responses to reduce the burden of asthma, particularly regarding disproportionately affected populations. Additionally, the bill revises and expands requirements for asthma surveillance activities and requires the CDC to coordinate data collection activities to maximize the comparability of results. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must submit an assessment of current activities related to asthma prevention, management, and surveillance that includes recommendations for the future direction of asthma activities.
Sponsors: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Target Audience
Population: People with asthma worldwide
Estimated Size: 25000000
- Asthma is a common condition worldwide, with an estimated 262 million people affected annually according to WHO statistics.
- The bill focuses on public health response to asthma and emphasizes disproportionately affected populations, suggesting a focus on areas or groups with higher asthma prevalence.
- CDC involvement indicates a focus on U.S. populations, but asthma is a global issue.
- Given the bill's focus is on asthma, it will directly influence anyone diagnosed with asthma, or potentially their caregivers, especially those in the United States.
Reasoning
- Asthma affects 25 million people in the United States, creating a significant need for improved asthma management and education programs.
- The Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act targets disproportionately affected populations, emphasizing the importance of focusing on minority and low-income groups who exhibit higher rates of asthma.
- Simulated interviews should cover a range of demographics, including people living in urban areas, rural areas, minorities, and healthcare providers who might be indirectly affected by changes in public health policies.
- The budget limitation implies that although the policy can have a substantial impact, the reach might be concentrated on highly impacted areas, requiring careful population selection to maximize the outcome within budget constraints.
- Evaluating the impact through the Cantril wellbeing scale helps in understanding subjective well-being, which can be a measure of health improvement post-policy.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Bronx, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe better asthma education could help reduce my attacks.
- Efforts to improve air quality would make a huge difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to regular check-ups and asthma management resources is crucial.
- Improving rural healthcare services would alleviate a lot of stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive of policies focusing on health and the environment.
- Improved public health initiatives can lead to better quality of life for my partner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Detroit, MI)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Industrially polluted air exacerbates my asthma, policy should address this.
- I need assistance with managing my condition better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 11 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I miss playing with my friends when I'm sick.
- I wish there was more information on what triggers my asthma.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 19/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A focus on asthma education can help my patients manage their symptoms.
- Policy could ease the burden on healthcare systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving air quality will benefit my entire community.
- I'm hopeful that this policy will make asthma care more accessible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More awareness and education on locating resources would help.
- I look forward to seeing tangible improvements in urban health initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns well with efforts to improve air quality.
- The focus on education is key to managing asthma better, which will benefit public health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Shop Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 56 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle with accessing medication.
- This policy could significantly improve my ability to manage asthma.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $105000000, High: $205000000)
Year 3: $160000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $210000000)
Year 5: $175000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $225000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill aims to reduce healthcare burden via improved management and education on asthma.
- Focus on disproportionately affected populations may yield significant health equity improvements.
- Consider potential partnerships with non-governmental organizations or private sectors to maximize impact.