Asthma in Kentucky Kids Tricia McLendon, MPH Asthma Program Manager Kentucky Department for Public Health October 17, 2003

Overview National data National data Kentucky data Kentucky data Current education activities and interventions Current education activities and interventions Asthma initiative in Kentucky Asthma initiative in Kentucky

Asthma in United States Kids In 2001, asthma affected more than 6 million children in the United States 1 In 2001, asthma affected more than 6 million children in the United States 1 –14 million school days missed annually 2 –1 in 6 pediatric emergency room visits 2 –3 rd leading cause of hospitalizations among children younger than 15 years 2 1. Environmental Protection Agency 2. CDC National Center for Environmental Health

Asthma in Kentucky Kids The rate of children with asthma in Region IV, which includes Kentucky, is higher than the national rate. 1 The rate of children with asthma in Region IV, which includes Kentucky, is higher than the national rate. 1 70,200 children in Kentucky are affected by asthma 3 70,200 children in Kentucky are affected by asthma 3 9.8% of high school and middle school students have asthma 4 9.8% of high school and middle school students have asthma 4 1. Environmental Protection Agency 3. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 4. Youth Tobacco Survey, 2002

Economic Impact Estimated cost of treating children with asthma is $3.2 billion per year 2 Estimated cost of treating children with asthma is $3.2 billion per year 2 Cost of illness for children with asthma in Kentucky is $45 million per year 3 Cost of illness for children with asthma in Kentucky is $45 million per year 3 2. CDC National Center for Environmental Health 3. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Asthma Education American Lung Association (ALA) of Kentucky American Lung Association (ALA) of Kentucky –Certified Asthma Educator workshop –Open Airways for Schools –Rules of Two Awareness Campaign –Starbright Foundation UK Cooperative Extension Service UK Cooperative Extension Service

Other Asthma Activities ALA of Kentucky ALA of Kentucky –Asthma camps –A Is for Asthma Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency –Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools –National Smoke-Free Home Pledge Campaign

Statewide Asthma Initiative Kentucky Asthma Partnership Department for Public Health Department for Public Health ALA of Kentucky ALA of Kentucky University of Kentucky University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Louisville School Nurses School Nurses Community educators Community educators Healthcare professionals Healthcare professionals Insurance providers Insurance providers Pharmaceutical companies Pharmaceutical companies Environmental professionals Environmental professionals Public health professionals Public health professionals

Next Steps Statewide asthma prevention and control program Statewide asthma prevention and control program –Statewide asthma surveillance system –Interventions and evaluation –Partnerships with key organizations Enhance education initiatives Enhance education initiatives Promote use of NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma Promote use of NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma Create policy and legislation to address asthma issues in schools and improve access to care Create policy and legislation to address asthma issues in schools and improve access to care

Thank you! Tricia McLendon ext 3819