Presented by The Asthma Coalition of Long Island

Asthma Coalition of Long Island Our mission is to reduce the burden of asthma by assisting every child with asthma to achieve optimal control, and by improving the quality of life for children, their families and our community.

We do this by… Asthma awareness, education and advocacy efforts in the community Asthma awareness, education and advocacy efforts in the community Culturally sensitive patient education to develop self-management skills for the best control of the disease Culturally sensitive patient education to develop self-management skills for the best control of the disease Surveillance and monitoring of asthma prevalence Surveillance and monitoring of asthma prevalence Effective and efficient clinical care and case management Effective and efficient clinical care and case management Environmental partnerships Environmental partnerships

Current Strategies Partnerships with local colleges to disseminate asthma education in LI schools, Child Care and Head Start Centers Partnerships with local colleges to disseminate asthma education in LI schools, Child Care and Head Start Centers Conduct a Biennial School Nurse Asthma Prevalence Survey Conduct a Biennial School Nurse Asthma Prevalence Survey Serve as a resource for up-to-date asthma information for school and childcare facilities Serve as a resource for up-to-date asthma information for school and childcare facilities Translate the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines into Practice Translate the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines into Practice Develop patient asthma education tools Develop patient asthma education tools

Overview  Defining Asthma  Asthma Emergencies  Asthma Triggers  Medications

What is Asthma?

Who is most at risk for asthma? Children Children Low-income, urban residents Low-income, urban residents Some minorities Some minorities Allergic children Allergic children Children with a family history of asthma Children with a family history of asthma

Asthma Facts Most common chronic childhood disease, 6.5 million children under 18 have asthma Most common chronic childhood disease, 6.5 million children under 18 have asthma 12.8 million school days missed each year 12.8 million school days missed each year 3 children die from asthma each day 3 children die from asthma each day According to ACLI’s School Nurse Survey, asthma incidence rate has increased from 7.6% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2008 According to ACLI’s School Nurse Survey, asthma incidence rate has increased from 7.6% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2008

Asthma Symptoms Coughing At night After physical activity Lasts more than a week Wheezing Chest tightness Shortness of Breath

Medication Delivery Devices

Specific things a child may react to which can cause an asthma episode What is an Asthma Trigger Dust Source: Asthma Coalition of Long Island Girl Scouts Asthma Awareness Patch Program: Girls Having Strong, Healthy Lungs

ASTHMA TRIGGERS: INFECTIONS VIRAL VIRAL Colds Colds Pneumonia Pneumonia BACTERIAL BACTERIAL Strep Throat Strep Throat Ear Infection Ear Infection Pneumonia Pneumonia

Smoke Smoke Cigarette Cigarette Pipe Pipe Cigar Cigar Pollution Pollution Smog Smog Poor Air Quality Poor Air Quality ASTHMA TRIGGERS: IRRITANTS

Dust mites – encase pillows and mattresses, remove carpets, vacuum with HEPA filter Dust mites – encase pillows and mattresses, remove carpets, vacuum with HEPA filter Molds – keep damp areas well aired, use dehumidifiers, avoid wet leaves and garden debris Molds – keep damp areas well aired, use dehumidifiers, avoid wet leaves and garden debris Animal dander – no pets, avoid feathers Animal dander – no pets, avoid feathers ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS

Pollens – keep children indoors when counts are high, do not use fans, use air conditioning when possible Pollens – keep children indoors when counts are high, do not use fans, use air conditioning when possible Cockroaches – wipe up spills, keep food enclosed, use roach control products when children are not present Cockroaches – wipe up spills, keep food enclosed, use roach control products when children are not present ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS

Other Asthma Triggers Strong Smells-avoid room deodorizers, perfumes and scented candles Strong Smells-avoid room deodorizers, perfumes and scented candles Colds and Infections-get yearly flu shots, wash hands frequently, keep sick children home Colds and Infections-get yearly flu shots, wash hands frequently, keep sick children home Weather-cover child’s mouth and nose in cold, avoid outdoor air pollution when possible Weather-cover child’s mouth and nose in cold, avoid outdoor air pollution when possible Strong emotions such as laughing and crying Strong emotions such as laughing and crying Exercise – occurs during exertion – play time Exercise – occurs during exertion – play time

What Can You Do? Encourage parents of children with asthma to get an Asthma Care Plan for their child Encourage parents of children with asthma to get an Asthma Care Plan for their child Be a detective—look around your classroom and find potential asthma triggers Be a detective—look around your classroom and find potential asthma triggers Find ways to make your center “Asthma Friendly” Find ways to make your center “Asthma Friendly” Reduce the number of stuffed toys from your classroom Reduce the number of stuffed toys from your classroom Keep sleeping areas dust free Keep sleeping areas dust free Maintain a smoke-free facility Maintain a smoke-free facility

The Asthma Coalition of Long Island envisions a community linked together to support every child in every family to control his/her asthma In order to live full and active lives…. Funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health to The American Lung Association