Merck Childhood Asthma Network

The Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc., (MCAN), is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization established to address the complex and growing problem of pediatric asthma. Funded by the Merck Company Foundation, the mission of the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. is to support and advance evidence-based programs that improve the quality of life for children with asthma and their families and to reduce through dissemination of effective interventions the burden of the disease on them and society. The creation of MCAN is consistent with Merck's commitment to putting patients first by improving access to medicines, vaccines, and quality health care.

MCAN seeks to be a leading national resource for and an advocate on behalf of children with asthma by working with national, regional and community partners. It will advance comprehensive community-based approaches that facilitate the adoption of effective asthma interventions. MCAN aims to demonstrate that, while asthma currently is not curable, it is manageable when children and their families have access to and utilize quality healthcare services.

MCAN supports competitive, peer-reviewed childhood asthma translational research specifically focused on the adoption of evidence-based treatment and prevention models that will:

Improve access to and quality of asthma health care services for children
Enhance knowledge about asthma among affected individuals and the general public
Foster asthma-friendly schools and communities
Promote asthma-safe home environments
Reduce disparities in childhood asthma outcomes.

In November 2005, MCAN awarded its first grants to four-year childhood asthma programs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. An independent research group will rigorously evaluate these programs; evaluation findings will play a key role in the development of comprehensive childhood asthma program models for potential national replication. The Merck Company Foundation is supporting this initiative with a commitment of up to $20 million from 2005 through 2009.

For more information on MCAN, visit
www.mcanonline.org

Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc.
1400 K Street NW, Suite 750
Washington DC 20007
(202) 326-5200

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