Healthy Air, Healthy Communities: 2025 MAAP Summit Tackles Air Quality and Asthma Equity

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Keynote Panel

Pictured left to right: Billy Spitzer (Hitchock Center), Francheska Bermudez (PHIWM), Kenzie Ballard (Groundwork Sommerville), Orlando Rivera (Resident Advisor), and Destiny Gonzalez (HRiA).

On June 12, 2025, over 60 participants gathered at Clark University for the annual MAAP Summit, Healthy Air, Healthy Communities: Understanding the Impact of Air Quality on Asthma in our Communities. The event convened educators, public health professionals, organizers, and advocates to explore the intersection of air quality, asthma outcomes, and environmental justice through data, community leadership, and hands-on learning.

The day opened with remarks from Destiny Gonzalez (Health Resources in Action) and Michelle Warner (MDPH), offering updates on statewide asthma prevention efforts and coalition priorities. The keynote—delivered by the Healthy Air Network—spotlighted new community air monitoring tools across New England, including Massachusetts’ Unhealthy Heat Forecast and hyperlocal air quality sensors designed to empower residents with real-time, actionable data.

Participants then moved into breakout sessions covering both outdoor and indoor air quality strategies. Pete Wilson of Transportation for Massachusetts led a conversation on how transportation infrastructure shapes air pollution and health outcomes, calling for more equitable and sustainable alternatives. In a parallel session, Dr. Patricia Fabian (Boston University) shared findings from a project using over 4,000 indoor air sensors in Boston Public Schools to improve classroom air quality and inform school operations.

In the afternoon, a hands-on workshop led by Francheska Bermudez (PHIWM) and Billy Spitzer (Hitchcock Center) gave attendees the opportunity to build their own DIY air filters to take home. Meanwhile, Victoria Hill and Michelle Warner (MDPH) facilitated a session on the impact of CHW-led asthma home visits, offering insight into how housing interventions can reduce asthma triggers and improve respiratory health.

Participants left the day energized and informed:

“I really enjoyed both sessions. As a CHW…it was especially meaningful to hear from someone who has firsthand experience in the field.” “It was an honor and privilege to attend the summit and breakout sessions.” “The presenters were very knowledgeable…the breakout sessions were both very informative and I learned a lot.”

The 2025 Summit reinforced MAAP’s commitment to supporting community-led solutions and cleaner, healthier air for all.

Highlights from the 2024 MAAP Summit: Asthma in a Changing Climate – Collaborative Strategies for Resilience

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The 2024 MAAP Summit brought together over 80 participants to explore community-driven strategies for addressing asthma in the context of climate change. The event offered a space for learning, collaboration, and inspiration from a range of experts and practitioners working on the front lines of environmental health. 

The Summit opened with an inspiring keynote address by Destiny Gonzalez, who focused on Lawrence Pa’lante, a groundbreaking initiative that integrates urban planning, advocacy, and community empowerment to create safer, cooler, and more affordable transportation options in Lawrence. Gonzalez highlighted the critical connection between extreme heat, poor air quality, and the disproportionate impacts on environmental justice communities like Lawrence. 

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of breakout sessions centered around equity and resilience in the face of climate change. Cynthia Espinosa Marrero from HRiA led a session on the importance of relationship-building in community engagement, stressing that power-sharing is key to sustainable collaboration. Rita Longe from Revitalize CDC facilitated a discussion on maintaining healthy housing and living spaces, where attendees brainstormed solutions to mold and moisture problems through real-world case studies. 

Karina Ramos and Sarah Kielsmeier-Jones from MyRWA presented the CLEANAIR Study, a community-based outdoor air quality monitoring project in Greater Boston. Francheska Bermudez from the Public Health Institute of Western MA led a hands-on workshop where participants created DIY air quality filters to improve indoor air quality. Molly Fairchild and Angie Alberto Escobar from the Home Energy Efficiency Team explored the impact of gas stoves on indoor air quality and asthma, sharing practical solutions for transitioning away from gas stoves and improving ventilation. 

Suellen Breaky from the Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health at MGH School of Nursing addressed the health impacts of climate change across the lifespan and provided actionable steps for individuals and communities to take in response to these challenges. 

Participants left the event with valuable takeaways, including one participant noting, "Very informative day. Enjoyed the opportunity to connect and interact with others." Another shared, "A great collaborative gathering and discussion." Many attendees also expressed how much they appreciated the hands-on DIY activity, with one remarking, "The DIY activity was great!" Overall, it was a day full of learning and connection, with attendees reflecting on the wealth of knowledge shared throughout the sessions. 

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

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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