Highlights from the 2023 MAAP Summit: Addressing Asthma in Our Communities: Where we Live, Work, and Play

On June 1st, the Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership (MAAP) held our first in-person summit since 2019, at Framingham State University. Over 90 individuals from 57 organizations across Massachusetts attended; for more than half, it was their first MAAP Summit. Among the attendees were community health workers, school nurses, clinicians, academics, and representatives from local, state, and federal agencies and community-based organizations. This year’s theme was “Addressing Asthma in Our Communities: Where we Live, work, and Play,” and featured a keynote address from Douglas Brown, President of Community Hospitals and Chief Administrative & Legal Officer for UMass Memorial Health. Dr. Brown was accompanied by a panel of colleagues to discuss how UMass Memorial Hospital's Anchor Program is addressing root causes of asthma and other inequities in Worcester. 

    Other key segments of the summit included the debut of the MA Department of Public Health’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for Asthma.  Participants reflected on how their organizations are working to meet the goals set within the strategic plan. Afternoon breakouts focused on asthma-related equity initiatives taking place to address extreme heat in Massachusetts schools, outdoor air quality in asthma-burdened communities, and healthy housing. In addition to the presentations, there were demonstrations on how to use a portable induction stove, how to build a DIY (do-it-yourself) box fan air purifier, and how to read a particle reader; MAAP raffled two induction stove cooktops; and Monano Arts lead an energizing bucket drumming activity, which was powerful and a big hit! The educational and networking opportunities provided throughout the day compelled some participants to share this information with their staff and community partners and expand their partnerships. 

    On behalf of MAAP, thank you to the MAAP Steering Committee members for their help with planning, with a special shout out to Jim Brooks, Director, Housing Development and Healthy Homes, City of Worcester. We are grateful to all the presenters, facilitators, and attendees who contributed to making this year’s Summit so invigorating and productive. We look forward to seeing even more of you in 2024. 

Thank you to our presenters: 

Douglas S. Brown (Keynote Speaker), Jennifer Delaney, Yvette Dyson, Jeshenia Luyando, David Turcotte, Khafayat Kadiri, James Brooks, Sarita Hudson, Francheska Bermudez, Emmanuell De Barros, Carla Caraballo, Cynthia Carbone, Liam Quinn