Asthma Resources

A Speaker's Kit for Health Care Professionals
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/speakit/default.htm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention speaker's kit is an in-depth slide presentation that depicts the pathophysiology of the disease; prevalence, mortality, and morbidity measures at the national level; risk factors; medical management; and the public health response needed to successfully fight asthma. It includes a glossary and additional contacts.

Allies Against Asthma Resource Bank
http://141.211.50.63:9000/index.jsp

The Allies Against Asthma Resource Bank is a centralized database for sharing information about resources, tools, and materials that may be useful to coalitions and community programs addressing asthma. It includes educational materials, resources for implementing asthma intervention programs, evaluation/survey instruments to measure asthma-related activities or outcomes, information about community coalitions, and tools to evaluate asthma educational materials. The site is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.

American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/school/

The American Lung Association, a voluntary health organization, fight lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control, and environmental health. Its Web site describes its programs and strategies, e.g., Open Airways for Schools, an elementary school education program for children with asthma; smoking control and prevention programs, some aimed at adults and others intended for school use; special reports on air pollution; grants and awards designed to further basic and applied research in lung function and lung disease; advocacy programs influencing the development and enforcement of laws and regulations related to lung health at the national, State, and local levels; multicultural programs; and communication programs.

Asthma Action Card
http://www.aafa.org/public/pdfs/student.pdf (163 KB)

The student asthma action card is a tool designed to provide life-saving information for a student with asthma. The card lists the student's personal and health information, including his or her physician, and indicates steps to take during an asthma episode. The card includes room for a student photo.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org/

The home site of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) includes information on education, advocacy, and research. It lists AAFA chapters, information about and for support groups, and a clinical trials resource center.

Asthma and Indoor Environments (Environmental Protecton Agency)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/index.html

This site includes current topics of interest relating to asthma and indoor environments under the headings Now Available!, Free Online, and New Initiatives. Examples of available Environmental Protection Agency materials are statistical fact sheets, a funbook, an asthma media campaign, a new Spanish language asthma video, and a free online course.

Asthma and Physical Activity in the School
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/phy_asth.htm

This 19-page booklet (National Institutes of Health Publication No. 95-3651) covers the causes of asthma, symptoms of an asthma attack, how to avoid and control asthma triggers, how to help students who take medications, and how to modify activities to match children's current asthma status. A student asthma action card is included. It is available online and may be ordered.

Asthma and Schools (National Education Association Health Information Network)
http://www.Asthmaandschools.org

Asthma and Schools consolidates information about asthma-related resources for school personnel working with grades K-12. The Asthma Essentials section includes basic information on all aspects of asthma, including how to manage it at school. The simple, searchable database links to education materials, medical information, Web sites, and other resources useful for those working in schools serving children and youth. The site is made possible by the National Education Association Health Information Network, and is supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U87/CCU310178 from CDC.

Asthma and the Environment: A Strategy to Protect Children
http://aspe.hhs.gov/sp/asthma/appxd.pdf

This report presents the strategy of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children to develop a better understanding of the environmental factors associated with the onset and triggers of asthma. The Task Force recommends (1) a focus on efforts to eliminate the disproportionate impact of asthma in minority populations and those living in poverty, (2) an emphasis on partnerships and community-based programs, (3) a commitment to setting measurable and consistent goals for childhood asthma under the Healthy People 2010 program, and (4) an investment in evaluation to identify the strategies most effective in reducing asthma.

Asthma Control Programs Related to Children and Adolescents
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/children.htm

This site outlines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's child- and adolescent-related asthma control programs and activities conducted throughout its centers, institutions, and offices. Some major ongoing efforts include the National Asthma Control Program, whose goal is to reduce the number of deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, school or work days missed, and limitations on activity due to asthma; School Health program that focuses on improving asthma management in schools and increasing the number of asthma-friendly schools Nationwide; major asthma data tracking through the State-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system; and other organizations offering child- and adolescent-related asthma information.

Asthma Fact Sheets
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm

Asthma fact sheets include morbidity --number and percent of noninstitutionalized adults and children diagnosed with asthma (2001); ambulatory care statistics (2001 and 2002); mortality rates (2001); and more detailed information on asthma prevalence, health care use, and mortality (2000?2001 and 2003). Related links are also provided.

Asthma in Schools 101
http://www.nsba.org/site/doc_schoolhealth_abstract.asp?TrackID=&SID=1&DID=31300&CID=1116&VID=53

The National School Boards Association's (NSBA's) School Health Programs created this information packet that contains facts and articles about best practices and sample policies related to asthma management within the school system. Copies are available from NSBA's Web site (www.nsba.org).

Asthma Initiative of Michigan
http://getasthmahelp.com/intro_schools.asp

This Asthma Initiative of Michigan site on schools and asthma outlines the actions each school staff member can take to help kids with asthma at school. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program-recommended policies for asthma management that encourage active participation of students in self-managing their disease (and allow the most consistent, active participation in school activities) are listed. Links to sites on work-related asthma, asthma and schools, and reasonable accommodations law are included.

Asthma Management in Educational Settings (AMES)
http://www.cshcn.org/resources/AMES.htm

AMES: Asthma Management in Educational Settings is a publication developed by members of the Asthma Management in the Schools Task Force, under the direction of the Washington Asthma Initiative through the American Lung Association of Washington.

Asthma: A Growing Epidemic (Environmental Health Series, 2000)
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/esnr/ehasthma.htm

This 2004 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures discusses the reasons for the escalating rate of asthma in the United States, and Federal/State efforts to address the problem. The authors note that over the past 20 years prevalence of the disease has risen 160 percent in children under 5; the fact that children are spending more time indoors and exercising less could be an explanation for the dramatic increase. The Federal Government has slated $68 million to implement recommendations focusing on school-based asthma programs, disease management strategies to target low-income children, and a national public information campaign. Nine States have enacted legislation to improve health care access and coverage for asthma sufferers.

Asthma-Friendly Schools Toolkit
http://www.lungusa.org/afsi/

This toolkit is a product of the American Lung Association's Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative. Released in October 2003, it is designed to assist local agencies, communities, and schools in implementing a comprehensive asthma management program. Its six major sections involve community asthma planning, maximizing school health services, building asthma education awareness, healthy school environments, physical activity, and resources. Sample materials at the end of each section and an asthma-friendly schools case management database are included. The toolkit can be downloaded from the Web site in PDF format; a CD-ROM is also available. Both are free of charge.

Basic Facts about Asthma
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/faqs.pdf

This Asthma Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains what asthma is, effects of asthma, how asthma is diagnosed, what an asthma attack is, causes of an asthma attack, and how asthma is treated. Attached is a chart on important asthma triggers, e.g., secondhand smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, and mold. A link to an American Lung Association Web site is provided for those needing more information.

Breath of Life (National Library of Medicine)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

This National Library of Medicine exhibition examines the medical and human history of asthma, the experiences of people with asthma, resources for coping with asthma, and contemporary efforts to understand the disease. Main topics include Mind, Body, Spirit; Asthma: From Symptom to Disease; Four Perspectives on Asthma; Cures and Conundrums; and Living With Asthma Today: Erica's Story. The exhibit is also available online.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention Asthma Programs
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site on asthma includes general information on the disease as well as a speaker's kit, information on the National Asthma Control Program and State asthma contacts and programs, data and surveillance, potentially effective interventions, legislation and policy at the national and State/local levels, and helpful CDC and non-CDC links.

Childhood Asthma Initiative in New York City
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/asthma/asthma.html

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Childhood Asthma Initiative site includes publications and programs designed to help those with asthma lead normal, active lives, specifically, Creating a Medical Home for Asthma, an asthma management program for health care providers; Asthma Facts, Second Edition, that provides information on asthma deaths and hospitalizations in New York City residents as well as prevalence among adults and 4- to 5-year-old children; updated asthma hospitalization data by New York City neighborhood; the report NYC Vital Signs: Asthma Can Be Controlled; the current issue of Asthma Initiative Info Newsletter; and other helpful asthma publications.

Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposure
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309064961/html/

This report presents the results of the National Academies' assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air quality. Major topics addressed are characteristics of asthma's clinical presentation, methodologic issues in evaluating the evidence re: indoor air exposures and asthma, patterns of asthma morbidity and mortality, pathophysiology of asthma, review of the state of the scientific literature re: indoor air exposures and exacerbation and development of asthma, and how indoor exposures to pollutants associated with the incidence/symptoms of asthma are affected by building ventilation and particle air cleaning. Recommendations/conclusions are as follows: asthma is a complex illness; the factors that determine predisposition to sensitivity to certain agents are still not well understood; a major problem in choosing and implementing an intervention is the generally limited data available; the poor and inner city residents are vulnerable populations for asthma development, morbidity, and mortality; and little connection exists between the scientific literature regarding asthma and the literature regarding the characteristics of healthy indoor environments.

Environmental Health - Indoor Air Quality and Asthma
http://neahin.org/programs/environmental/index.htm

NEA HIN recognizes the connection between health and learning. A safe and healthy school environment provides a better learning environment. There are many facets of environmental health, and currently, NEA HIN covers just a portion of them. This site covers resources including Indoor Air Quality in Schools, asthma, anthrax, and statistical information for schools.

Fit 4 Life: Meeting the Challenge
http://www.bam.gov/fit4life/dont.htm

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Body and Mind (or BAM!) site written especially for children with asthma emphasizes the importance of asthma-friendly activities such as swimming, bicycling, golf, inline skating, and weightlifting. The authors note that physical activity, which doctors advise, can improve breathing and lead to fewer asthma attacks; they recommend following several tips: ease into it, take a buddy, respect the body's signals, take breaks, and cross-train. Links to helpful sites are included as well as a disease detection profile.

Global Initiative for Asthma
http://www.ginasthma.com/

The Global Initiative for Asthma is a collaborative project of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. The organization's objectives are to increase awareness of asthma, promote identification of reasons for the increased prevalence of asthma, promote study of the association between asthma and the environment, reduce asthma morbidity and mortality, improve management of asthma, and improve availability and accessibility of effective asthma therapy. A link to their Global Burden of Asthma Report is included.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/index.htm

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel presents up-to-date recommendations for clinical practice. Their findings are as follows: inhaled corticosteroids improve control of asthma for children with mild or moderate persistent asthma compared to as-needed beta2-agonists, and the potential but small risk of delayed growth is well-balanced by their effectiveness; the preferred treatment for adults and children over 5 is the addition of long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists to low-to-medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids; antibiotics are not recommended for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations except as needed for comorbid conditions; written action plans as part of an overall effort to educate patients in self-management is recommended; peak flow monitoring for patients with moderate or severe persistent asthma should be considered; and evidence is insufficient to permit conclusions on the benefits of early treatment of asthma in preventing progression of disease.

Health in Action: Asthma in the School Community
http://www.ashaweb.org/healthinaction.html

Health in Action, published by the American School Health Association, covers single health topics within the context of a coordinated school health program. It is designed specifically for health and education professionals at the middle and high school levels. Published four times a year, each 24-page issue includes ideas for developing lesson plans and health programs, handouts for students and their families, suggestions for policy makers, suggestions for the classroom and working with individual students, and a resource section. Subscriptions can be ordered online.

Healthy School Environments (Environmental Protection Agency)
http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/index.cfm

The Environmental Protection Agency's Healthy School Environments Web pages serve as a gateway to online resources to assist facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers, and staff in addressing environmental health issues in schools. Topics include design, construction, and renovation; energy efficiency; environmental education; facility operations and maintenance; indoor environmental quality; legislation and regulation; outdoor air pollution; portable classrooms; safety/preparedness; waste; waste reduction; and water.

How Asthma-Friendly Is Your School?
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/friendhi.htm

The questionnaire consists of seven questions to help identify sources of problems in schools for children with asthma; the checklist is a seven-item list in a scorecard format to be used by parents, teachers, and school nurses in pinpointing specific areas that may cause problems for children with asthma. An extensive list of organizations (that can serve as resources to make asthma-friendly changes in schools) accompanies both documents. The questionnaire is available online; printed copies may be ordered. The checklist is available online in English and Spanish.

Implementation Guide, Quest for the Code: An Adventure Game about Managing Asthma for Children
http://www.starbright.org/schoolasthma/

The STARBRIGHT School Asthma Program provides schools Nationwide with the STARBRIGHT Asthma CD-ROM Game: Quest for the Code® and a user guide that helps school nurses, health educators, and teachers use the game as part of a coordinated school health program. Quest for the Code is an interactive educational game that helps kids, ages 7-15, learn to manage their asthma. The free program also includes fun and colorful materials to provide to students and parents so they can order their own copy of Quest for the Code (free of charge). The site also includes a resources section for supplementary materials and asthma-related links, as well as implementation ideas from other school health professionals that have effectively used Quest for the Code with their students.

Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States: A Blueprint for Policy Action
http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1330/

This report describes a set of policy recommendations to promote the development and maintenance of communities in which children with asthma can be swiftly diagnosed, effectively treated, and protected from exposure to harmful environmental factors. Recommendations are as follows: (1) develop and implement primary care performance measures for childhood asthma care; (2) teach children with persistent asthma and their families a specific set of self-management skills; (3) provide case management to high-risk children; (4) extend continuous health care coverage to uninsured children; (5) develop model benefit packages for essential childhood asthma services; (6) educate health care purchasers about asthma benefits; (7) establish public health grants to foster asthma-friendly communities and home environments; (8) provide asthma-friendly schools and school-based asthma programs; (9) launch a national asthma public education campaign; (10) develop a national asthma surveillance system; and (11) develop and implement a national agenda for asthma prevention research.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/toolkit.html

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) IAQ Tools for Schools Kit shows schools how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit includes checklists for all school employees, a flexible step-by-step guide for coordinating the checklists, an IAQ Problem Solving Wheel, a fact sheet on indoor air pollution issues, and sample policies and memos. In addition to the kit, the EPA, with the cast and crew of the television series This Old House, has produced a short video about how to properly operate and maintain ventilation systems in schools. The kit and video are free; they are available online and may be ordered from the IAQ INFO Clearinghouse (EPA document number 402-K-95-001). A CD-ROM is also available (EPA document number 402-C-00-002, August 2000).

Knowledge Path: Asthma in Children and Adolescents
http://mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_asthma.html

This knowledge path, compiled by the Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University, offers a selection of recent, high-quality resources about asthma in children and adolescents, its management, and its impact on homes, schools, and communities. The path also identifies tools for staying abreast of new developments in asthma care and conducting further research. It is aimed at health professionals, program administrators, policy makers, educators, and families, and will be updated regularly. The path includes Web sites and electronic publications, journal articles, print publications, databases, and online discussion groups and electronic newsletters.

Managing Asthma in Connecticut Schools: A Resource Manual
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/EEOH/new_asthma/Asthma_schl_manual_web.pdf

This manual, produced by the Connecticut Department of Public Health with the State of Connecticut Department of Education and the United Way of Connecticut/Infoline, is a guide for all school staff who are key players in promoting student health and health services in the school. It is divided into specific sections for targeted audiences to provide them with the information they need to understand, manage, and control asthma in schools. Included are references and resources for further information, as well as handouts for colleagues and parents. The manual was developed with the Coordinated School Health Program model in mind to foster collaboration at many levels. The eight components of this model are school health services, a healthy school environment, physical education, comprehensive school health education, school counseling/psychological/social services, school nutrition services, school-site health promotion for staff, and family and community involvement in the schools.

Managing Asthma in Minnesota Schools
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/cdee/asthma/documents/ManualInside.pdf

This comprehensive resource and training manual for school personnel was developed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is designed to educate school personnel about asthma and share practices that help ensure a safe learning environment for students with asthma. The manual contains separate sections for each staff discipline, and each section contains information about why this is important, what that person should know, and what that person can do. Certain forms, policies, and educational materials are available in the Resource Section. The entire manual is available on the MDH asthma Web site and on CD-ROM. Most of the forms/documents are offered in Word or PDF.

Managing Asthma in the School Environment
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/asthma/eat-caa.htm

This Environmental Protection Agency site lists action items for controlling animal allergens in classes that adopt animals as classroom pets or science projects (since animal allergens can trigger asthma episodes in people sensitive to them). The most effective method is to keep the school free of feathered or furred animals. Isolation measures include keeping animals in localized areas and away from upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys, and keeping sensitive individuals away from animals as much as possible. Classrooms containing animals should be cleaned frequently and thoroughly; air cleaners should only be considered as an addition to other control methods. Note: these action items are included on the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Teachers Checklist.

Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/asth_sch.htm

This guide, found on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site, is intended to assist schools planning and/or maintaining an asthma management program. It provides follow-up steps for schools identifying students with asthma through health forms or emergency cards, and offers practical information to school staff members of every position. Asthma educational materials and resources are attached. The guide is available online.

Meet Disease Detective, Dr. Asthma
http://www.bam.gov/detectives/

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site designed to help children learn about disease outbreaks and prevention.

Mold and Remediation in School and Commercial Buildings
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldremediation.pdf

This document, prepared by the Indoor Environments Division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), presents guidelines for the remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and commercial buildings. The guidelines include measures designed to protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has been designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and others responsible for commercial building and school maintenance. Using this document, individuals with little or no experience with mold remediation should be able to make a reasonable judgment whether the situation can be handled in-house, and it will help those in charge of maintenance to evaluate an in-house remediation plan or one submitted by an outside contractor. A resources list and an appendix on communication with building occupants are attached. The document is available online on EPA's Web site.

National Asthma Control Program's State Asthma Contacts
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/contacts/default.htm

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site provides grantee and nonfunded asthma contacts for all 50 States and Puerto Rico. To access information on a specific State, the reader can click the State on the map or scroll down and pick the State's name from the list provided. A link is provided to access a list of all grantees and contacts. Information on each State includes grantee, contact, telephone, e-mail, address, Web site, funded since date, funded program name, and program description.

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (National Institute of Health)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp/index.htm

This National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute site provides information on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) initiated in March 1989 to address the growing problem of asthma in the United States. The program's goal is to enhance the quality of life for patients with asthma and decrease asthma-related morbidity and mortality. NAEPP works with intermediaries including major medical associations, voluntary health organizations, and community programs to educate patients, health professionals, and the public. The site provides links to a program description and achievements; the Coordinating Committee roster and meeting notes; the Federal Liaison Group on Asthma, Coordination of Federal Asthma Activities, Executive Summary, October 2001; health-related information for patients/general public, health care/other professional, and schools/child care; Action Against Asthma: A Strategic Plan for the Department of Health and Human Services; and asthma slide sets.

National Asthma Educator Certification Board
http://www.naecb.org/

This Web site of the National Asthma Educator Certification Board provides information to those involved in asthma education and interested in becoming an Asthma Educator-Certified. An asthma educator is an expert in counseling individuals with asthma and their families on how to manage asthma and minimize its impact on their quality of life. A link to the board's 2003 Annual Report is provided.

National Conference of State Legislatures Asthma Web Resources
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/esnr/asthmamain.htm

This National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) site on asthma provides news items; NCSL Web resource links and descriptions on asthma causes and concerns, legislative actions related to asthma, individual State programs related to asthma, asthma-related State legislation and statutes database, and State policies regarding student rights to possess and self-administer prescribed medications for asthma and anaphylaxis; other Web resource links and descriptions on the CDC National Asthma Control Program, EPA asthma and indoor environments, and air pollution and respiratory health links; and contacts.

Pediatric Asthma: Promoting Best Practices
http://www.aaaai.org/members/resources/initiatives/pediatricasthmaguidelines/default.stm

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology provides an updated version of its resource publication Pediatric Asthma: Promoting Best Practices. First published in 1999, the document recommended practical decision making in the diagnosis and management of asthma. The 2002 version addresses the safety and effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in children, the use of combination therapy, the use of written action plans and peak flow monitoring, and the use of antibiotics in treating acute exacerbations.

Pest Control and the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/brochure/

This online booklet prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency discusses integrated pest management (IPM), a pest control method that is an alternative to scheduled spraying of pesticides. The authors note schools across the Nation adopting such programs have reported successful, cost-effective conversion to IPM. They add that IPM can reduce the use of chemicals by creating inhospitable environments for pest populations, removing some basic elements pests need to survive, or simply blocking pests' access into buildings. Establishing an IPM program for schools involves seven steps: developing an official policy statement for school pest management; designating pest management roles; setting a pest management objective for sites; inspecting, identifying, and monitoring; setting action thresholds; applying IPM strategies; and evaluating results and record keeping.

Potentially Effective Interventions for Asthma (NCEH)
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/asthma/interventions/interventions.htm

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NCEH site is designed for medical clinic, public health, and school personnel who work with people with asthma, and members of State or community asthma coalitions. It provides information on potentially effective interventions for asthma control, including methodology for identifying interventions, results, lessons learned, information on the interventions themselves, a bibliography of reviewed literature, and case studies of several interventions.

Resolution on Asthma Management at School
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/resolut.htm

Policies developed by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) are listed on this National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute site. NAEPP designed these policies to encourage the active participation of students in the self-management of their condition and allow for the most consistent, active participation in all school activities. The policies promote a smoke-free environment for all school activities, access to health services supervised by a school nurse, a written medication policy that allows safe, reliable, and prompt access to medications in the least restrictive way during all school-related activities and self-managed administration of medication, a school-wide emergency plan for handling severe exacerbations of asthma, staff development for all school personnel on school medication policies, emergency procedures, and procedures for communicating health concerns about students, and development of a supportive and healthy environment that respects the abilities and needs of each student with asthma.

School Asthma Education Slide Sets
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/naepp_slds/school/schl_text.htm

This set of 27 slides developed by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee covers the following topics: asthma as a major public health problem, what is asthma, the symptoms of asthma, what happens during an episode of asthma, what makes asthma worse, how asthma is controlled, how asthma episodes are controlled, what people with asthma should be able to do, and asthma goals for school health --a healthy school environment, health services in school, asthma education, supportive policies, and sound communication. Asthma resources for school health are included.

School Governance and Leadership Issue on Asthma Management
http://aasa.org/publications/sgl/Spring_2003.pdf

The Spring 2003 issue of Governance & Leadership, a school board publication of the American Association of School Administrators, focuses on asthma management and how to improve indoor air quality and policies and programs to better serve school children with asthma. Topics include the childhood epidemic of asthma and why school leaders are concerned about students with asthma, asthma management --policies and procedures, individual student asthma action plans, examples of local school district action, asthma and indoor air quality, a sample "dear doctor" letter from the school (when asthma affects school performance), and liability and litigation re: disability barriers.

School House: Breatherville, USA (Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics)
http://www.aanma.org/schoolhouse/

The Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) created this site where parents, teachers, and school administrators can find information on keeping kids with asthma and allergies safe at school. Subjects provided include the following: off to school with confidence --how to be prepared in informing the school about your child's health needs, interfacing with school officials --ensuring the school knows how to handle your child's needs, parents: do your homework --assignments you need to complete before your child goes to school, anatomy lesson on asthma 101--how the lungs work and what happens during an asthma attack, know your child's rights --a primer on the legislation written to protect your child, tools for schools --how an AANMA volunteer used this Environmental Protection Agency kit to clean up the air in her local schools, plan for attendance --missing school can be a problem if you're not prepared, food allergies at school, making exercise safe --tips for your child's active life, college survival guide, animals in school --how to work with your child's school for a healthier environment, ask the doctor and ask the school nurse, and further information --a list of organizations and resources related to asthma and allergies.

School Nurse Toolkit
http://www.aaaai.org/members/allied_health/tool_kit/

This tool kit for school nurses includes a clinical and management overview of several allergy and asthma topics, particularly in relation to the school setting. The section on asthma includes characteristics of asthma, common signs and symptoms of an acute asthma episode, asthma classification, asthma triggers, exercise-induced asthma, asthma medications (long-term control and quick relief), delivery systems, asthma action plans, recognition of increasing asthma symptoms, peak flow measurement and zones, action plan for acute episodes, and rules of 2™ to determine when a child needs more than a rescue bronchodilator. PowerPoint presentations and useful handouts are also available. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology developed this site with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

State Policies Regarding Student Rights to Possess & Self-Administer Prescribed Medications for Asthma & Anaphylaxis (National Conference of State Legislatures)
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/esnr/asthmapc.htm

This site provides a map showing State policy for all 50 States in the following categories: State law allows students to carry and self-administer prescribed medications for asthma and anaphylaxis; State law allows students to carry and self-administer prescribed medications for asthma only; State administrative code or guidelines allow students to carry and self-administer prescribed medications for asthma and anaphylaxis; and no State law or regulation allowing students to self-administer prescribed medications for asthma and anaphylaxis. Source of information is the National Conference of State Legislatures and Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics.

State-Level School Health Policies (National Association of State Boards of Education)
http://www.nasbe.org/HealthySchools/States/State_Policy.html

The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) furnishes State-level school health policies for all 50 States. NASBE's collection effort builds on the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 conducted by the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health, and was designed to gather actual written policies from Spring 2002 through Spring 2003 in key areas of school health policy?general health education; HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention; asthma management; and tobacco use prevention. Staff requirements, student services, accommodations, environment, and coordination/implementation are also addressed.

Strategies for Addressing Asthma Within a Coordinated School Health Program
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/asthma/pdf/asthma.pdf

This Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention report discusses six strategies (and strategy implementation) for schools and districts to consider when addressing asthma within a coordinated school health program: establish management and support systems; provide appropriate school health and mental health services; provide asthma education; provide a safe, healthy school environment; provide safe, enjoyable physical education and activity; and coordinate school, family, and community efforts to better manage asthma symptoms and reduce school absences.

Students with Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools and Students
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/guidfam.htm

This guidance sheet on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site presents positive actions schools and families can take to address multiple chronic diseases at once using the same action steps. Suggestions on the two-page document are practical and low cost. The guidance sheet is designed for possible use as a checklist for those who wish to rate their current activity level or monitor progress toward achieving a higher level. It can also help schools design a more coordinated approach in meeting the needs of students with chronic illnesses, and facilitate school efforts to comply with applicable Federal laws. The document is available in PDF format. It has been endorsed by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, the American Diabetes Association, the American School Health Association, the Epilepsy Foundation, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, and the National School Boards Association.

Taking on Asthma (American Association of Health Plans)
http://www.aahp.org/

Taking on Asthma, launched in 2001, is a national program to improve the quality of care provided to people with asthma and enhance their quality of life. The initiative is sponsored by America's Health Insurance Plans (formerly American Association of Health Plans) and supported through a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the expanded initiative, Taking on Asthma: Communication, Education, and Outreach, is to develop approaches that educate health plans, insurers, and their provider networks about the importance of integrating evidence-based environmental management into asthma management programs. The initiative is based on the premise that health plans and insurers have a unique opportunity to offer evidence-based asthma management programs that include the management of environmental asthma triggers, including irritants such as secondhand smoke and major indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and mold.

Tobacco Information and Prevention Source: Educational Materials
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/edumat.htm

This Tobacco Information and Prevention Source site (on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion site) provides educational materials for specific audiences (employers; health professionals; parents, educators, and youth group leaders; Spanish speaking; and youth) and by topic (cessation, prevalence statistics, workplace issues, and youth).

What You Should Know About Diesel Exhaust and School Bus Idling
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/diesel/assets/pdfs/Diesel_Factsheet_Schoolbus.pdf

This Air Pollution and Kids (November 2002) document, What You Should Know About Diesel Exhaust and School Bus Idling, presents some simple steps schools can take to reduce school bus idling time and air pollution from diesel exhaust, which can post a significant health risk to children. Recommended actions include establishing idling guidelines, working closely with bus companies and bus drivers to implement the guidelines, and working closely with bus companies to retrofit buses with pollution controls and to purchase the cleanest new buses. Air Pollution and Kids is published by Environmental Protection Agency New England.

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