The findings from this study will contribute to the knowledge base on the similarities and differences that exist between Mexican and Puerto Rican families regarding asthma illness beliefs and management strategies, and how acculturation influences these factors. Healthcare providers, regardless of their practice setting, can best treat children with asthma if they understand what beliefs parents hold about what causes asthma, the nature of asthma symptoms, its course of action (chronic versus episodic), medications and alternative therapies used in treatment, and expectations for symptom resolution. If parents' beliefs are discordant with the HCPs' beliefs and are not addressed when devising the management plan, there is increased risk for nonadherence. Healthcare providers would also do well to educate themselves as to what CAM therapies parents are using to treat their children's asthma. By doing so, they can then take the lead in eliciting information on CAM use during their contacts with parents to ensure safety when these therapies are used, to educate parents about the advantages and disadvantages of individual CAM therapies, to provide culturally competent care, and to improve adherence to the prescribed medication regimen. If parents feel that they are part of the decision-making process regarding treatment of their children's asthma, they may be more likely to adhere to the prescribed medication regimen. Healthcare providers have an opportunity to intervene at the individual level to effect changes aimed at improving adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen through improved communication, education (both parents and themselves), and partnership with the families.