Healthy Indoors Magazine
Issue link: https://hi.healthyindoors.com/i/1095622
Healthy Indoors | 23 • Fewer impacts and interruptions for caregivers • 97% of asthma patients and caregivers reported that asthma had some negative impact on their quality of life. This dropped to 50% after the intervention. • One year after initial services were provided, study par- ticipants reported four fewer Urgent Care visits, fifteen fewer Emergency Room visits and six fewer hospital admissions. Client Reactions to the PCHH Partnership Clients shared appreciation of the Healthy Homes program during phone follow-ups. Their comments ranged from grat- itude for the CHW's medication review done by the CHW to the healthy home suggestions and interventions the HHE recommended. Summary and Conclusions Washington State University's Energy Program conduct- ed a comprehensive case study of the PCHH as part of its ongoing work with Commerce to evaluate and learn from the Weatherization Plus Health Initiative. Vince Schueler, WSU EP lead researcher for Wx+H noted that "One of the reasons we focused on PCHH for a case study was be- cause the model was a strong example of potential part- nership between public health and local weatherization agencies, and because the Health Department was com- mitted to collecting client data needed to tell the story." The completed case study found that despite a com- plex client mix and small sample sizes, it was possible to detect evidence of improved health outcomes, improved Quality of Life and lower use of medical services. This case study also highlights the challenges and opportunities of providing integrated weatherization, healthy homes and home visit services to low income weatherization clients. Evaluators noted the importance of cross training, "CHWs must have the skills to address multiple health conditions including asthma, COPD, mental health and co-morbid conditions. Weatherization program staff also needs addi- tional training and support to work with these clients." The partnership works on continual quality improve- ment, modifying processes and protocols as they learn and grow. An internal evaluation revealed the importance of four areas in a new weatherization plus health partner- ship; defining roles and processes, avoiding duplication and finding synergy, communications, and training. Training: • Early cross-training and job shadowing is critical. • Motivational Interviewing skills for all CHWs and auditors. Healthy Home Working Group (HHWG) The HHWG is an umbrella organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those impacted by asth- ma and other respiratory conditions. The HHWG is a collaboration of medical and building performance leaders including: • Allergy and Asthma Network • American Lung Association • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America • American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immu- nology • Association of Asthma Educators • Green & Healthy Homes Initiative • HomeLab • Building Performance Institute HHWG creates awareness and provides educa- tional resources on the home's environment and its impact on health. BPI Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) certification The BPI HHE builds on a prerequisite foundation of one of four BPI building diagnostic certifications. As a more advanced certification, it positions technicians to conduct environmental risk assessments to identify factors in the home that could compromise the health of occupants. The HHE is designed to "Help Break the Link Between Unhealthy Houses and Unhealthy Families." BPI Healthy Housing Principles (HHP) Reference Guide and Certificate Exam Designed for CHWs and others who need to know the principles of healthy housing but may not be trained to conduct diagnostic testing or maneuver through crawl spaces or attics, the HHP focuses on the eight "Keep It" principles (dry, clean, pest-free, safe, con- taminant-free, ventilated, maintained, and thermally controlled). Modeled after BPI's widely used Building Science Principles, the new HHP reference guide and exam will be available in May 2019. i