Program Goals
CDHD works with community partners to implement air quality programs and educate asthma management through-out Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed through education and air quality awareness.
Asthma Facts
- Approximately 120,000 residents of Idaho have Asthma. 15.4% of Idaho households with children 0-17 years of age have, at least, one child diagnosed with asthma. This corresponds to an estimated 31,000 households impacted by childhood asthma.
- Leading serious chronic disease among children.
- The third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under age 15.
- #1 reason for disease related emergency room visits in children.
- Children account for 40% of asthma cases.
- Deaths from asthma have tripled among children.
- There are approximately 5,000 deaths from asthma annually!
Asthma Symptoms/ Triggers
- Coughing
- Chest Tightness
- Shortness of Breathe
- Wheezing
- Excessive fatigue
- Nighttime or early morning coughing
- Allergens
- Irritants such as tobacco smoke, strong odors
- Weather changes
- Viral or sinus infections
- Physical Activity can influence attacks- especially long distance running.
- Medications
- Foods
- Emotional anxiety
- Air Quality
- Reflux disease (Stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus, or food pipe)
- Symptoms Vary from person to person
Asthma Management Goals
- Control symptoms
- Prevent exacerbations (attacks)
- Maintain lung function as close to normal as possible
- Avoid adverse effects from medications
- Prevent irreversible airway obstruction
- Prevent asthma mortality
- Use the Asthma Action plan as much as possible!
Conclusions
- Identify Asthma children and make sure to talk with parents about medications, where they will be located, and major triggers.
- Create an action plan and make all children aware of the symptoms and proper procedure for an attack- (Notify an adult ASAP if an asthmatic attack is occurring!)
- Trigger proof your facility!
Additional Resources
- American Lung Association
- American Academy of Allergy
- Allergy and Asthma Network
- Mold Fact Sheet (PDF)
- AsthmaMoms.com
- CDC - Asthma
- EPA - Asthma
- Healthy School Environments
- ibreathe.com
- Merck - Asthma
- SchoolAsthmaAllergy.com
- WebMD
- Teach Your Patients about Asthma
- National Asthma Eductiona/Prevention Program
- Asthma/Alergy Foundation of America
- American Association for Respiratory Care
Contact
Lindsay Byars
Activities Coordinator
Asthma Awareness
208-327-8591
Email Lindsay

