Asthma Policies

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Reducing the burden of many chronic diseases may be aided by policy or legislative changes. Behaviors have been changed and lives have been saved as a result of such action. Well-known examples include:

  • Inhaler laws allowing students to carry medications at school,
  • Leaf burning laws,
  • Environmental tobacco smoke laws, and
  • Emissions laws for cars, bus retrofitting and coal-burning industries.

Not all policies require legislative change. Some of the most important policies affecting health are developed at the local level and in private sector organizations. For example, a community youth program’s policy can require utilization of smoke-free venues for all sponsored youth field trips or a business can install ventilation and establish a regular maintenance schedule to reduce airborne allergens.

In 2001, a RAND Health expert panel identified six policy goals in addressing asthma. They are:

  1. Improve access to and quality of asthma health care services
  2. Improve asthma awareness among affected individuals and the general public
  3. Ensure asthma-friendly schools
  4. Promote asthma-safe home environments
  5. Encourage innovative asthma prevention and management
  6. Reduce socioeconomic disparities in child asthma outcomes

 

More information is available in our state plan.  Click on the link below to view the Asthma Policies chapter.

Click here for Asthma Policies - State Plan (176 KB - MS Word)

 

Other Resources:

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Allergy and Asthma Network - Mother of Asthmatics

Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2004

“Attack on Asthma” Bill – ESSB 5841 Providing for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma

Self carry asthma and anaphylaxis medications law (28A.210 RCW) passed in 2005

Exploration of common strategies for disease management and demand management programs, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and similar common chronic diseases

Development of State Asthma Plan
 

     

External Links:

Washington Asthma Initiative

Centers for Disease Control - Asthma

Environmental Protection Agency

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Internal Links:

Washington State Asthma Plan

Washington State Burden of Asthma Report

Asthma Fact Sheet

Related Links:

Tobacco Prevention and Control

Other CFH Programs

Environmental Health Programs

 


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Asthma Program
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