Switching from aerosol MDIs to dry‑powder inhalers to protect breathing and the climate
Veterans Affairs Study of a Real-World Inhaler Delivery Device Transition on Climate and Health Outcomes (VA-SWITCH)
This project compares pressurized metered‑dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry‑powder inhalers (DPIs) for adults with asthma or COPD to learn how switching affects breathing outcomes and greenhouse gas emissions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11216517 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a national group of Veterans whose medical records are used to compare people who stayed on MDI inhalers with those who were switched to DPIs after a VA formulary change. Researchers will look at real‑world outcomes such as symptom control, flare‑ups, emergency visits or hospital stays, and medication use. They will also estimate the climate impact by modeling greenhouse gas emissions tied to each inhaler type. The team will analyze which patient and facility factors make a switch more likely to succeed for people like you.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration who use combination ICS/LABA controller inhalers for asthma or COPD are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not use ICS/LABA controllers, children, non‑VA patients, or those who cannot generate enough inhalation force to use DPIs may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide safer inhaler choices that maintain breathing control while lowering environmental harm.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller trials and device comparisons suggest DPIs work well for many patients, but large real‑world comparisons of clinical outcomes together with environmental impact remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prescott, Hallie Christine — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Prescott, Hallie Christine
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.