Support for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and youth with asthma and allergies and their parents /

"Recent studies reveal significant gaps in social support for children with asthma and allergies and their parents. Furthermore, social isolation and loneliness are reported among children/youth with asthma and allergies. Although school-based education programs exist, supplementary support in the community is limited and poorly integrated. Asthma and allergies are the most common chronic conditions affecting First Nations youth. Despite reports of affected children/youth' need for support from peers in similar situations and the importance of peers for Aboriginal children/ youth, support programs engaging peers do not exist. Moreover, little is known about affected Aboriginal children/youth' and parents' support needs and their desired support interventions. Accordingly the objectives of this study were: 1) To assess the support resources, support needs, and support intervention preferences of Aboriginal children/youth with asthma and allergies and their parents; 2) To inform the design of an accessible support intervention for these children/youth and parents that overcomes cultural, geographic, physical, and temporal barriers; and 3) To identify implications for improved practice, programs, and policies."--Introduction.