The Community Engagement Core of the NIEHS Center at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health invites you to a workshop on Obesity and Asthma: New Approaches to Care. This workshop is for healthcare professionals working with individuals who have obesity and asthma, and health-focused community organizers.

Research shows that obesity increases the risk for the development of asthma and leads to more severe asthma. Additionally, individuals with obesity and asthma tend to be less responsive to typical asthma medications. Given this, it is important that special consideration is given to treatment options and approaches to care for those with obesity and asthma. This includes medication considerations, and integrative medical support with a focus on optimizing lifestyle behaviors.

This workshop aims to improve asthma care for individuals with obesity in the greater Boston area. To do so, we are bringing together experts on obesity and asthma, healthcare professionals who work with individuals who have obesity and asthma such as physicians, PAs, nurses including school nurses, asthma educators, nutritionists, home health workers, exercise physiologists, and health-focused community organizers to discuss options for improving the system of care for those with obesity and asthma.

The workshop will include:

• Information on the status of asthma care in Boston and Massachusetts.
• Background on linkages and potential mechanisms between asthma and obesity.
• Descriptions of research pertaining to effective treatments and care options for individuals with obesity and asthma.
• Descriptions of integrative medicine models that optimize lifestyle behaviors and considerations when approaching patients with obesity.
• Breakout Sessions: Facilitated discussions among participants on how to improve care for individuals with obesity and asthma in the greater Boston area and Massachusetts.

Speakers:

Keynote: Anne Dixon, BM, Bch, University of Vermont, College of Medicine “Improving Care for those with Asthma and Obesity”

Stephanie Shore, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Chan NIEHS Center “Asthma and Obesity: Links and Potential Mechanisms”

Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA Massachusetts General Hospital: Weight Center/Harvard Medical School “How to Navigate and Approach Care in Your Patients with Obesity”

Some speakers still to be determined, please check back later for more updated information.

Cost: $25/person -includes lunch, light breakfast, and snacks.

Scholarships available, email Traci @ tbrown@hsph.harvard.eduif interested.

Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Kresge Building, Room G1

677 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115

Note: Visitor passes will be available at the main entrance on Huntington Ave.

Time:

8:30 AM Registration Opens

9:00 AM Opening Remarks

Presentations

Lunch

Breakout Group Discussions

5:00 PM End