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                   Take Action  During Asthma Awareness  Month
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a serious, life-threatening respiratory
disease that affects over 20 million Americans.
Rates of asthma  have  risen  sharply over the
past thirty years, particularly among children
ages 5 to  14.  Although there is no cure for
asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through
medical   treatment  and  management  of
environmental triggers.

Asthma Triggers
Learn more about elements found in the indoor
and  outdoor environment  that can  cause,
trigger, or  make worse asthma symptoms and
what you can do to reduce their impact.
  • Secondhand Smoke is a  mixture of smoke
    from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe
    or cigar and the smoke exhaled by the
    smoker that is often found in homes and
    cars where smoking is allowed.
  • Dust  Mites  are too  small to be seen,
    but can be found  in almost every home
    in  mattresses  and  bedding  materials,
    carpets, upholstered furniture, stuffed toys
    and curtains.
  • Mold can grow indoors when mold spores
    land  on wet  or  damp  surfaces.  In the
    home, mold  is most commonly found in
    the bathroom, kitchen and basement.
  • Cockroaches  and  other  Pests'  body
    parts,  secretions,  droppings and urine,
    droppings and saliva of pests, such as
    rodents, are  often found in areas where
    food and water are present.
  • Warm-Blooded  Pets'  (such   as  cats
    and dogs)  skin flakes,  urine and saliva
    can be found in homes where pets  are
    allowed inside.
  • Nitrogen  Dioxide  is  a  byproduct of
    indoor fuel-burning  appliances, such as
    gas stoves, gas or oil furnaces, fireplaces,
    wood  stoves and  unvented  kerosene or
    gas space heaters.

Preventing Asthma Attacks

Step 1 - Talk to a doctor
    If your child  has  asthma or you think
    your child may  have asthma, take your
    child to a doctor.  Your  doctor will work
    with you to keep your child from  having
    asthma attacks.
Step 2 - Make a Plan
    Work with your doctor to create an Asthma
    Action Plan that will help  you learn to
    prevent  your  child's asthma attacks and
  How  Healthy  Is  Your  HomeP
       IS THE AIR IN YOUR
        HOME HEALTHY?
  Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers
  Americans spend up to 90% of their time
  indoors. Therefore, indoor allergens and
  irritants can play a significant role in
  triggering asthma attacks. It is important
  to recognize potential asthma triggers in
  the indoor environment and reduce your
  exposure to those triggers. Your doctor can
  help you to determine which triggers affect
  your asthma and develop a specific plan to
  reduce your triggers.
  Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers

       Secondhand Smoke
     • Dust Mites
       Cockroaches and Pests
       Nitrogen Dioxide
       Outdoor Air

  To help you work with your doctor to create
  an Asthma Action Plan for your individual
  circumstances, you can download a sample
  plan at: www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html
When you and your doctor make the plan, be sure to include:
    • Your child's asthma triggers
    • Instructions for asthma medicines
    • What to do if your child has an asthma attack
    • When to call your doctor
    • Emergency telephone numbers

For more information:
Asthma Awareness Month
www.epa.gov/asthma/awm/
Facts about Asthma
www.epa.gov/asthma/about.html
Asthma Triggers
www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html
Healthy Homes Community Initiative
www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/healthy_homes.htm
For more information about Asthma, contact EPA
at 800-223-0425.

The Black Health Care Coalition, along with sponsoring
partners, will hold an Active Kids Camp for children living
with asthma, July 25 - 29,2011. The camp is NO COST for
children and families to participate. To enroll, call
816-444-9
To inquire about managing your child's asthma, and for more
information on safe and healthy homes and how to receive a
healthy homes assessment, contact Children's Mercy Hospital
at 816-855-1895.
                    Children* Mercy
                    HOSPITAL
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                                         HEALTH CARE
                                         COALITION, INC.
    will help control your child's asthma on a
    regular basis.
Step 3 - Asthma-Proof Your Home
    Triggers are a part of everyday life. Learn
        more about things that might trigger an
        asthma attack and  what you can do to
        control or get rid of them and help your
        child stay healthy.

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