&EPA Working Together So Everyone Can Breathe Better PARTNER WITH US TO IMPROVE ASTHMA MANAGEMENT ------- 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. ------- : 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 ------- 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. ------- *3<*V *. ** *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: ------- 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. ------- 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? ------- ------- ^ 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 ------- 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. ------- , ^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 ------- <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 ------- ------- 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 ------- |