Vol. 21 •Issue 10 • Page 23
What’s on Tap for Asthma Awareness Month?
The Environmental Protection Agency is urging community service organizations and health care professionals to celebrate Asthma Awareness Month events during May.
EPA officials want caregivers to conduct asthma educational training and coordinate activities through their local hospitals and clinics. Among the potential public information activities are:
- education about environmental asthma triggers and management
- education about asthma and the risks of secondhand smoke
- providing guest speakers (patients, doctors, nurses or TV personalities) to describe how to live with asthma
- setting up asthma screening centers.
Some of the asthma education resources cited by the EPA include: “Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers,” a brochure; “Take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge,” a brochure; “Dusty and His Asthma Triggers,” a children’s funbook; and “Breathing Feely: Controlling Asthma Triggers,” a video.
Various items are available through the American Lung Association, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the American Association for Respiratory Care.
How are you promoting asthma education in your community? Let us know by visiting http://www.community.advanceweb.com and then clicking on the “Respiratory Views: Forums” button.
Asthma Experts Offer Screenings in May
Breathing experts will take their asthma and allergy messages public in May when they set up screening centers in more than 250 sites across the country. It’s all part of the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program sponsored by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Now in its 12th year, the program provides free screenings to adults and children and offers a location in many communities where people can learn about asthma.
Initially, participants are asked basic information and a series of questions about their lung health. From there, participants will be directed to an area where they will take a breathing test using a spirometer. If the results suggest individuals might have asthma, the attending allergist will refer them to an allergist in the community for a diagnosis.
Screening locations can be found at www.acaai.com.
