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

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

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