CHW Asthma Control Education - Module 1 of 4 - Breathing Easy with Asthma - Understanding Asthma and the Foundations of Control

Overview

The purpose of this project is to develop and host an asthma self-management education (AS-ME) curriculum for Community Health Workers (CHWs). The curriculum and content are designed to provide a minimum of 4.5 continuing education credits (CEUs) for CHWs in the State of Texas. The series will be divided into four modules as follows:

Module 1: Understanding Asthma and the Foundation of Control
Module 2: Medications, Devices, and Introduction to Self-Monitoring
Module 3: Understanding Triggers and Building Healthy Environments
Module 4: Building Self-Management Skills and Advocacy

When asthma is under control, children can breathe well and stay active. But many children struggle with poor asthma control. This can mean missed school, poor sleep, and hospital visits. Community Health Workers help families learn steps to control asthma so children can breathe easier.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for community health workers and community health worker instructors.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners should be able to:

Name parts of the respiratory system.
Deﬁne asthma and list three changes in the airways that happen when people have asthma
Identify common asthma signs and symptoms.
Describe the impact of asthma on families and communities.
Identify the basics of asthma control.
Describe challenges to asthma control and solutions.
Explain the role of a CHW in improving asthma outcomes.

Funding

This guide was supported with federal funding awarded through a partnership between the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by Texas DSHS, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Course summary

Available credit:

1.00 Community Health Worker (CHW)
1.00 HSC Participation

Course opens:

06/26/2026

Course expires:

06/30/2028

Cost:

$0.00

Rating:

CHW Competencies:

(Knowledge Based .75; Interpersonal .25)

CHW Instructors:

Juana Escobedo Bermudez, BSPH, CHW, CHWI, CHES
Project Program Coordinator
Texas Center for Patient Safety

Leslie Reyna, MSW, CHW, CHWI
Assistant Director of Strategy and Outreach
Texas Center for Patient Safety

Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RE/LD, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC CPCHE, FTPHA
Associate Professor
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Health Administration & Health Policy

Bobbie Bratton, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor & Executive Director of Interprofessional Education in Nursing
UNT Health Fort Worth, College of Nursing

Disclosures
In accordance with the appropriate accrediting bodies, all planners, teachers, and authors with control over activity content are required to disclose to the provider any relevant financial relationships (those held by the person, currently or within the last 24 months) with ineligible interests. Accredited providers are required to provide this information to learners before the start of an activity. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Division of Academic Innovation's office planning team nor the subject matter experts have anything to disclose.

Course Lead

Leslie Allsopp, PhD. MSN, MPH, AE-C
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics and Women's Health
UNT Health Fort Worth, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Asthma 411 Faculty Partner, Texas Center for Patient Safety

Primary Authors (alphabetically)

Juana Escobedo Bermudez, BSPH, CHW, CHWI, CHES
Project Program Coordinator
Texas Center for Patient Safety

Leslie Reyna, MSW, CHW, CHWI
Assistant Director of Strategy and Outreach
Texas Center for Patient Safety

Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RE/LD, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC CPCHE, FTPHA
Associate Professor
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Health Administration & Health Policy

Reviewers

Bobbie Bratton, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor & Executive Director of Interprofessional Education in Nursing
UNT Health Fort Worth, College of Nursing

Paul Kloppe, MBA, RRT, AE-C, CTTS
Asthma Supervisor
SA Kids BREATHE, City of San Antonio

Shammara Norris, RRT
Executive Director
Positive Breathing Outcomes

Yun Tran, MD, MPH
John Peter Smith Health Network
Department of Family Medicine
Viola Pitts-Como Health Center

Instructional Design

Brenda Wilson, MS, CHCP
Senior Instructional Designer
UNT Health Fort Worth, Division of Academic Innovation, Continuing Education and Assessment Department

Course Director(s)