Louisville To Use Technology and Innovation to Reduce Burden of Asthma

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the start of AIR Louisville, the first-of-its-kind data-driven collaboration among public, private and philanthropic organizations to use digital health technology to improve asthma. Kentucky has the fourth highest adult asthma prevalence in the US and Louisville consistently ranks among the top 20 "most challenging" cities to live in with asthma. Leveraging Propeller Health's FDA-approved medication inhaler sensors, the program will track when, where and how often residents of Louisville experience asthma symptoms. These data, along with Propeller Health's personalized asthma management system, will help patients to better manage their asthma symptoms, and aid city leaders in making smarter decisions about how to keep the air clean.

"The goal of the AIR Louisville program is to use data from Propeller's connected medication sensors to make smarter choices about how we improve the quality of life for our residents," said Ted Smith, Chief of Civic Innovation at Louisville Metro Government and Executive Director of the Institute for Healthy Air Water and Soil. "By collecting data about where and when residents have asthma attacks, we can help inform public policy that will reduce the burden of asthma city-wide.  The program will also help physicians, patients and employers understand asthma triggers and do a better job managing this health problem in our city."

Participating in AIR Louisville are the City of Louisville and Mayor's office, Propeller Health, makers of FDA-approved digital health solutions for asthma and COPD, the Institute for Healthy Air, Water and Soil, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, local employer partners such as Brown-Forman, local health plans such as Passport Health Plan, and local asthma specialty clinics like Family Allergy & Asthma.

The Institute is working with Propeller Health and all the program partners to give the community better access to data about public health and the environment.

With a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and with participation from local employers, health plans and clinics, AIR Louisville will provide over two thousand sensors to Jefferson County residents who will then collect data over the 2 year program. Data collected will be used to help patients self-manage their disease, to help providers manage asthma more efficiently in the community and to help the City of Louisville learn patterns of asthma burden correlated to environmental factors (such as pollution, roads, parks, etc).

For more information about the program or event on March 20th please visit www.airlouisville.com.

The Institute for Healthy Air, Water and Soil:

The Institute was founded in March 2014 with the goal of making it easier for people to understand how our natural environment shapes our health. The Institute wants to bring about the kind of change that will help people live healthier lives, such as helping people understand how to clean up our natural environment as well as why we need to do it. The Institute is leading the nation in creating new ways to empower "citizen scientists" to reveal the connections between environmental health and human health, starting with air quality and asthma.

Propeller Health:

Founded in 2010, Propeller Health provides digital solutions to measurably improve respiratory health. One of the first mobile platforms with FDA clearance, Propeller combines sensors, mobile apps and predictive analytics to monitor and engage patients, increase adherence and encourage effective self-management. The company partners with integrated delivery systems and health plans seeking new solutions to improve quality measures, strengthen care teams and reduce the cost of care for asthma and COPD, the 5th and 6th most expensive diseases in the US. For more information, visit propeller health.com.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.

Partners:

Brown- Forman: Founded in 1870 in Louisville, KY, Brown-Forman, is one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies and is among the top 10 largest global spirits companies.

Family Allergy & Asthma Group: Founded in 1979 by Drs. Stephen J. Pollard and James L. Sublett, Family Allergy & Asthma is a group of board-certified allergy and asthma specialists practicing at more than 20 locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Passport Health Plan: Passport Health Plan is a provider-sponsored, non-profit, community-based Medicaid health plan serving more than 240,000 people around Kentucky.

SOURCE Propeller Health

Related Links

http://propellerhealth.com