In support of World Health Day this past weekend, the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center would like to remind everyone that the important health disparities that the World Health Organization wants to address are just as important here in southeastern Wisconsin as they are across the world. We opened our north side satellite in 2016 and were surprised at how many treatment opportunities hadn't even been offered to patients just a few miles away on the other side of the county. We are pleased to report that we’ve definitely made a dent in the ER visits and hospitalizations for asthma in Milwaukee.

However, there is much work still to do. Even though Healthgrades ranks Milwaukee as having the 11th best health care system in the country, the Allergy & Asthma Foundation of America ranks Milwaukee as the 14th worst place for people with asthma to live in the United States. More appalling is the fact that Milwaukee ranked 22nd in 2015 - we’re going in the wrong direction. That is why Fight Asthma Milwaukee Allies, of which Dr. Steven is Executive Director, is convening a Summit meeting on May 9, during National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month. The theme for the Summit is “Let’s Get Out Of The Top Twenty by 2020!” and is encouraging attendance by everyone involved in asthma care in Milwaukee County to revitalize the coalition to maximize its effectiveness. Dr. Steven and Dr. Bukstein from AASC will be leading the discussion, and we have secured visiting speakers who have successfully led similar coalitions to success in Chicago and New York City. We hope to gain further insights about what worked and what didn’t work in their efforts, to give us more ideas about how to help organize our community to more effectively care for those with asthma.