Leading asthma experts from Bermudian charity Open Airways have presented their model for treating the condition to an international health forum.

A four-strong team travelled to Boston this month after being invited to speak at The Boston Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Update for Primary Care Providers. Liz Boden, the charity’s co-founder, and Tracy Nash, director of asthma education, spoke about the Bermuda model for asthma education to the audience.

“It was a phenomenal experience and a fantastic privilege to be asked to speak at this event,” said Mrs Boden.

“The attendees were impressed with the work that we do in Bermuda and especially the fact that our hospital admissions for asthma have been reduced by 77 per cent since our island-wide programme started in 1995. They also loved our Azmobiles.”

Debbie Barboza, who runs the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital asthma education centre, and Deann Trott, the Department of Health’s school asthma nurse, were also sponsored by Open Airways to attend the forum.

Mrs Boden added: “We made many great new contacts with pulmonologists, allergists and nurses specialising in asthma and allergy in Boston. The team returned to Bermuda feeling inspired with renewed enthusiasm to do even better to help Bermuda breathe freely. We have lots of new information that we will share with the community in the coming weeks.”

During the event, Michael Young, a Harvard Medical School professor and doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital, suggested that Open Airways publish a paper called: “The Bermuda Model” to highlight how the charity has tackled asthma on the island.

Dr Young said: “The Bermuda model of asthma care is a goal all communities should be educated on, and strive for.”