&EPA
Working Together
So Everyone Can Breathe Better
PARTNER WITH US TO IMPROVE ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
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ALARMING FACTS
ABOUT ASTHMA N
• Asthma is a serious, life-threatening
respiratory disease affecting the quality of life for
millions of Americans.
• Each year, there are 2 million visits to emergency departments
and nearly 5,000 people die because of asthma.
• Alarmingly, the asthma rate among U.S. children ages 5 to 14
rose 74% between 1980 and 1994, making asthma the most common
children's health problem.
• Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness,
accounting for more than 14 million missed school days per year.
• Health care and lost productivity due to asthma totaled $14 billion in 2002.
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: astbmajnah|gernent *;
plan^The call to action
encourages parents
and caregivers to seek
additional information
by calling a toll-free hotline
(1-866-NO-ATTACKS) or by visiting
www noattacks org
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late the
Smoke-Free
HOME
-866-SMOKE-FREE wwW.epd.gbv/smokefree
teleyisidh,
tadio, ('
newspaper
airport
dioramas, point-of-purchase, satellite TV, bus shelter
posters, and mass transit cards. Pledges can be made
by calling a toll-free hotline (1-866-SMOKEFREE),
visiting www.epa.gov/smokefree, or attending
various local events around the country.
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*. ** *5
-* * . X Hf* "" ,W? tj W\>' •"nJf'-S O> =. a- . • *&v - -
f |nana^rn^ p^^g^i^^^e i
progxam^ *^dUcafe:cluld±en? school ^ "
officials, and childcare providers on
mdoor asfcma taggers arid actions to
reduce exposures to these
taggers For more t
information, visit
www epa gov/asthma
4:
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and management ife-exfefang cpmr^irdt^based^^
in-home psograrnst' for more information, visit **
www.epa gov/asthma,
» Through partnerships with, the medical and health
insurance communities, EPA promotes the incorporation
of environmental controls into clinical practices and
standards of care. We accomplish this by raising the
health care community's awareness of environmental
risk factors and encouraging public and private
health insurers to develop comprehensive asthma
management programs.
• EPA promotes the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a
tool to provide the public with clear and timely
information on local air quality and whether air
pollution levels pose a health concern. The AQI is
reported and forecasted every day in many areas
throughout the U.S. on local weather reports and
through national media.
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ASTHMA MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
Although there is no cure, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of
ronmental triggers. EPA promotes environmental management of asthma and is dedicated "
envi-
quaf s t ,r UCe eXP°SUre t0 i"d00r enVbonmental asth™ triggers-thus improving the
quality of life-for 2.5 million people suffering from asthma.
To accomplish this, EPA:
• **«*»*«* Bareness about asthma and how to manage environmental asthma triggers, including
indoor allergens, secondhand smoke, and outdoor air pollutants. §
Helps children with asthma and their families manage environmental triggers in their homes
care providers to reduce
m t0 taoMP°rate environmental manage-
ment into ckmcal practices and standards of care for asthma patients.
EPA implements comprehensive asthma management programs through partnerships with national
organizations EPA is also working closely with Federal agencies and non governmental
through the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP?
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^ imjjoMa&t role m the increasing
asthma pjrobleni
•Exposure to secondhand
smoke and indoor allergens—
dust mites, animal dander,
cockroaches, and mold—can
exacerbate asthma symptoms
*• Exposure to dust mites and
secondhand smoke in preschool-
age children can cause asthma
For more information, visit
http://books nap edu/
catalog/9610 html
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assessment, an.4- risk management of indoor aod >•
oiitdoor environmental pollutants-relevant to "^
asthma. This research initiative will advance
scientific understanding and serve to guide EFA's
efforts to reduce the burden of asthma For more
information, visit www.epa gov/QRD/WebPubs/final
EPA and the University of Michigan School of Public
Health are collaborating to determine
"best practices" for asthma care.
This review of current
approaches to asthma
management that are
achieving positive
health outcomes
will provide
guidance for
EPA outreach
and education
programs.
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,
^Immunology (AAAA1)
(414) 272--603I _ , - -^
www^aaaiotg" /
American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP)
(847) 434-4000
wwwaaporg
American Association for
Respiratory Care (AARC)
(972) 243-2272
www aarc org
American Association of
Health Plans (AAHP)
(202) 778-3200
wwwaahporg
American College of
CHEST Physicians
(CHEST)
(847)498-1400
www.chestnet.org
4*"e^^ Respiratory
Care Foundation (ARC)
(972) 243-2272
wwWardbundation org
Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America
(AAFA)
(800) 7-ASTHMA
www aafa.org
Bureau of Primary Health
Care (BPHC)
(301)594-4110
wwwbphc hrsa.dhhs gov
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Air
Pollution and Respiratory
Health Branch (CDC)
(404) 498-1000
www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/
default.htm
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<202) ,785-1670
www nclrorg *
National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NHLBI)
(30i)49M236
www nhlbisupport.com/asthma/
mdex-html
U.S. Department of
Agriculture Cooperative
Extension Service
(USDA)
(202)401-4980
www reeusda gov
IN,MI,MN,
OH,WI V "
(3l2)886-£oS3or
(800)621-8431
Region 6 -AR, LA, NM,
OK.TX
(214)665-7561 or
(800) 887-6063
Region 7 - IA, KS, MO, NE
(913) 551-7269 or
(800) 223-0425
Region 8 - CO, MT, ND,
SD, UT,WY
(303)312-6361 or
(800)227-8917
Region 9 -AS.AZ, CA,
GU,HI,NV
(415)947-4192
Region IO-AK,ID,OR,WA
(800) 424-4372 x2589 or
(206) 553-2589
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How to contact us:
To learn more about EPA's national asthma program, call 202-564-9370 or
vw.epa.i^ov /asthma.
ORDER ASTHMA MATERIALS TODAY!
1:PA encourage
To view EPA's materials, v
call 1-800-438-4318.
a. To order these materials at no cost,
Office of Air and Radiation
Indoor Environments Division
(6609J)
EPA 402-F-03-004
April 2003
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