Pharmacist-led screening program for an inner-city pediatric population.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of asthma, obesity, hypertension, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure among youth and provide recommendations for follow-up care.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 12 health screenings for children between 5 and 17 years of age in various inner city, lower socioeconomic, and predominantly black communities throughout the city of Pittsburgh, PA. The screenings were conducted by pharmacists and student pharmacists from April 2010 to April 2012. Asthma, obesity, hypertension, and ETS screenings were offered at each event.

RESULTS: A total of 144 children (50% girls, 89% black, non-Hispanic) were enrolled. Sixteen percent of the study population had a previous diagnosis of asthma; 4% were poorly controlled, and 18% were identified as having potential, undiagnosed asthma. Fifty-three percent were at an unhealthy weight (0.7% underweight, 24.3% overweight, 28.5% obese), 24% had abnormal blood pressure (12.8% prehypertension, 8.5% stage 1 hypertension, 2.8% stage 2 hypertension), and 26% had ETS exposure equivalent to that of smokers (0.7% light smokers, 17.5% smokers, and 7.7% heavy smokers). Overall, 177 specific referrals were made. The incidence of hypertension (P <0.001) and the proportion of ETS equivalent to heavy smokers increased (P = 0.019) with increased weight classification.

CONCLUSION: Within this self-selected inner city, predominantly black pediatric population, there were high rates of positive screens for potential asthma, obesity, hypertension, and smoking. Additionally, the risk for high ETS exposure and hypertension increased with increasing weight. This study highlights the importance of pharmacists in disease screening and the need for alternative prevention and management strategies in disparate pediatric populations.