Addressing the Complex Problem of Childhood Asthma in the United States

The Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. (MCAN), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, funded by the Merck Foundation, is the only private foundation solely focused on addressing the complex and growing problem of childhood asthma in the United States.

Improving Access to Quality Asthma Care for Children

MCAN works to improve access to and quality of asthma healthcare for children – especially the vulnerable and medically underserved – through research, community programs and partnerships.

Advocating for Policies that Expedite Evidence-based Asthma Care

We educate stakeholders and policy makers on approaches that allow better access to care and promote best practices that are cost effective.

Increasing Awareness and Knowledge of Asthma and Quality Asthma Care

MCAN shares information on what works with stakeholders and communities and educates them about childhood asthma and effective ways to manage it.

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News & Events View All

05/1/13, WASHINGTON DC

Putting Together the Pieces to Manage Childhood Asthma

Childhood asthma is a serious and costly chronic disease that affects 1 out of every 11 children. National Asthma Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to put our heads together to come up with good ideas to help children and their families better manage the disease. It’s time to start managing asthma where children live, learn and play. That’s why the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. created this infographic to highlight the critical role that schools, families, healthcare providers and policymakers have to play in helping the millions of children struggling with asthma.



04/1/13, WASHINGTON DC

Findings of “La Red Project” Published in Pediatrics  Show Health Improvements for Children with Asthma

The results of a study published online in a supplement to the journal Pediatrics reveal that combining existing evidence-based asthma interventions improved the health and quality of life for low-income and minority children with asthma in two housing projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The multi-year childhood asthma program funded by MCAN and known as La Red de Asma Infantil de Puerto Rico helped reduce asthma symptoms, emergency room visits and hospitalizations in children with moderate to severe asthma.

Message From
the Executive Director

There is a wide gap between the care that most children with asthma receive and the care they should be receiving – it’s time to close that gap.

Asthma is the single most common chronic condition among children. Yet, two out of three children don’t receive recommended treatment, only half are advised on how to manage their asthma and less than that receive an asthma action plan. And the care deficits are not equally shared. Low income, medically underserved, and African-American and Hispanic children have the least access to preventive care, excess hospitalizations and the most visits to the ER.

Here at the Merck Childhood Asthma Network (MCAN), we know that when it comes to overcoming the enormous burdens of childhood asthma, just delivering the right medical care is not enough. Many children and their families need additional "care" including counseling, social services, coordination of medical care, assistance in avoiding things that worsen asthma symptoms, to name just a few. That’s why MCAN has partnered with others across the country to implement innovative, evidence-based asthma management programs in local communities. We’re discovering how to integrate effective, evidence-based asthma management strategies in real world settings, and learning what works so that we can share the information with others.

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