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Asthma is among the most common of the chronic diseases that affect
children. Especially under-treated or untreated, asthma can hinder a
child’s ability to attend, participate and learn in schools and/or
childcare facilities (educational settings). In Washington State an
estimated 120,000 youth currently have asthma and 1 in 10 households
with children report having a child with asthma. Most of these children
and youth are enrolled in educational settings. It is estimated that
children spend an average of six to nine hours a day in school or
childcare facilities/programs.
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One School’s Story…
In 2004, the American Lung Association of
Washington (ALAW) along with the Inland Northwest Asthma Coalition (INAC)
approached local schools in the Spokane, Washington area about
participating in an Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative
Demonstration Project.
Click here to view the
story.
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Due to the frequency of asthma and the potential for serious consequences,
schools and child care programs play a unique role in asthma management. All
school and childcare providers must be alert to symptoms that may indicate
asthma and have policies in place that help staff to assist children with
managing asthma.
Asthma is often first diagnosed in early childhood. Between 50% and 90% of
children with asthma develop symptoms (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
or rapid breathing, and chest tightness) before the age of five. Among young
children, boys are more likely than girls to have asthma. By middle school age
asthma in boys drops and asthma in girls increases. This trend continues into
adulthood. Hormones that become activated among females during puberty may
contribute to asthma.
More information is available in our state plan. Click on the link
below to view the Asthma in Educational Settings chapter.
Click here for Asthma in
Educational Settings - State Plan (64 KB - MS Word)
Other Resources:
Bookmarks
School Nurse Resources
Environmental Health Resources
Facilities Staff Resources
Coach/Athletic Director Resources
Parent Resources
School Nurse Resources
Self
carry asthma and anaphylaxis medications law (28A.210 RCW) passed in 2005
Asthma Management in the
Education Setting Manual
Asthma
Management Plans
Strategies for Addressing Asthma within a Coordinated School Health Program
School Health Index - a
self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their
health and safety policies and programs.
Allergy and
Asthma Tool Kit for School Nurses
Office of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction - Health Services Program
Environmental Health Resources
DOH Indoor Air
Quality Program
Environmental Protection Agency
Healthy Schools Environments Project
Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program
Gypsy Moth Spraying and Your
Health (103 KB - MS Word)
Facilities Staff Resources
Planning Guide for
Maintaining School Facilities
School Indoor
Air Quality Best Practices Manual
Coach/Athletic Director Resources
Winning with Asthma: A
Coaches Clipboard Program
National
Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Managing Asthma in
Athletes
Parent Resources
Allergy and Asthma Network - Mother of
Asthmatics
Asthma
Management Plans
What is Asthma?
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