RCHC Community Project Abstracts

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Asthma in Northeast Portland: Examining the increased prevalence in the underserved
Date of project: 10/17/2005

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that can be controlled with proper medications. Seventeen million people, 5% of the population, are asthmatics in the United States. The prevalence of asthma amongst children and adults is higher in Oregon than the rest of the nation. Morbidity and mortality is highest in patients who live in the inner-city or who come from low income homes. There are many social, economic, environmental, and pharmacological factors that lead to increased asthma rates among this population. The purpose of this project is to assess the factors that lead to increased asthma rates in Northeast Portland, assess the most effective asthma prevention and treatment programs, and to assess the availability of interventions that are currently in place in the Portland area.

Pediatric Poisonings- Epidemiology and Prevention. Portland Oregon
Date of project: 8/8/2005

There are more than four million incidents of poisonings in the United States each year. The institute of Medicine identified poisoning as the second leading cause of injury-related mortality, with an estimate of economic cost at $12.6 billion annually based on societal lifetime cost of injury. Hospital admissions for poisoning are the second leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for all ages in Oregon (Poison Press 2004). In this study I have evaluated the impact of poisonings in children under the age of 13 in the Portland community by reviewing hospital records, obtaining Oregon Poison Center data, and surveying and interviewing members of the community. In an effort to increase awareness of poisonings in pediatrics and decrease their prevalence and severity I have created a poster. This poster along with fliers and handouts from the poison center has been placed in local clinics and hospitals.

Child Abuse: Screening and Prevention Among the Urban Underserved
Date of project: 5/5/2003

Every year there are about 3 million cases of suspected child abuse reported to child protective services. 1000-2000 children die each year from child abuse. The risk factors for child abuse are numerous. The number one risk factor associated with child abuse most frequently is poverty. Since the clinic I worked at in SE Portland serves mainly those in poverty, I decided to look at child abuse screening programs within the Portland area. Also, there was a general lack of knowledge concerning community programs among providers at the SE clinic. My job was to spend one day a week with various community programs that exist to screen/prevent child abuse and report my findings so that physicians in the SE clinic may know how to access important resources for at risk children and families.

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