The Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Initiative (RAMP) is a strong regional coalition of health departments, health plans, community-based organizations, hospitals, government agencies, providers and community members in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Solano counties committed to addressing asthma morbidity and mortality.

RAMP was created in 1996 out of a grave concern about the increasing prevalence and severity of asthma among children and adults across the country, and a lack of coordinated effort at the regional level to understand and address this problem in Northern California. Moreover, while asthma is a health problem that transcends socio-economic status, studies indicate a disproportionate prevalence among low income, inner city residents. Particularly high prevalence is reported among African American and Latino children in these communities.

Data analysis by RAMP has indicated similar patterns in low income urban neighborhoods in the region (see hospitalization data). RAMP is a collaborative of the Public Health Institute of Berkeley, California, a private, not-for-profit organization that serves as a clearinghouse for over 200 domestic and international research, technical assistance, and training programs. (TOP)

Our VISION is the development and implementation of a model for regional collaboration that addresses chronic disease in our communities. (TOP)

Our MISSION is to decrease death and sickness associated with asthma among adults and children in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Solano Counties by the facilitation of a partnership of diverse organizations, institutions, and community residents that collaborate in the enhancement of clinical and community-based systems. (TOP)

Funding. RAMP is funded by a grant from The California Endowment (http://www.calendow.org). The planning phase of the project was funded by The California Endowment and our funding partners: Alameda County Public Health Department, Contra Costa Health and Social Services Agency, Kaiser Permanente, Merck Pharmaceuticals, The Public Health Trust, San Francisco Department of Public Health, and Solano County Health and Social Services Agency. (TOP)