May is Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting approximately 20 million people of all ages, particularly children.  Although asthma is widespread, public awareness of common asthma triggers and ways to manage asthma remains limited.  Within that context, in 1999, the Global Initiative for Asthma, a joint project of the World Health Organization and the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, established World Asthma Day and Asthma Awareness Month. 

To encourage organizations in the U.S. to hold local events during Asthma Awareness Month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed an Asthma Awareness Month Webpage and an Event Planning Kit.  The Kit provides ideas for planning asthma events in schools, hospitals, libraries, state capitol buildings, or other community settings.  Activity ideas for schools listed in the Kit include, but are not limited to offer asthma screenings and education on environmental asthma triggers and management; read children’s books on asthma to students; arrange a school-wide assembly with guest speakers, such as kids with asthma, local celebrities, TV personalities, or local doctors or politicians; and offer asthma education for parents at a local PTA.

In addition, the Kit lists ten ways to manage asthma in the school environment including: use the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit; control animal allergens; control cockroach allergens; clean up mold and control moisture; eliminate secondhand smoke exposure; reduce dust mite exposure; develop an asthma management plan; provide school-based asthma education programs; reduce school bus diesel exhaust; and gather additional asthma information and resources.

The Kit also includes a sample proclamation, a sample press release, and other resources to make it easy for schools and other organizations to organize outreach events. An order form with descriptions of EPA’s Asthma outreach products and resources which are available at no cost is provided.  Furthermore, the Asthma Awareness Month webpage lists events happening in different states around the country. 

For additional information, please contact:

U.S. EPA/Office of Radiation and Indoor Air Environments Division
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 6609J
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:  (202) 343-9370
Fax:  (202) 343-2394 or (202) 343-2392

Source:  EPA’s Asthma Awareness Month Webpage and EPA’s Asthma Awareness Month Event Planning Kit.