Who knew? Today is World Asthma day . World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. When I first read about World Asthma day, I thought, how cute. Then I read on and thought, how powerful. This year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma”. In the spirit of World Asthma day, below are a few fabulous links to support controlling asthma here in the US!
Gezira Sporting Club asthma walk (Egypt)
Worldwide, from Florida to Pakistan, countries are standing together and re-committing to reducing the prevalence of asthma, the morbidity and mortality! The US National Institutes of Health issued a statement of standing together with Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) as they renewed their own commitment to improving the quality of life with Asthma. In addition to organizations from all over the world making statements, there are events taking place dedicated to educating and supporting the theme of “You Can Control Your Asthma”.
Look at what is happening around the globe today…
- East Los Angeles Community College is offering free peak flow meter testing and is handing out asthma education materials
- Stanislaus County Asthma Coalition is offering several activities ranging from workshops for health care providers to Public Service Announcements in local movie theaters (I am impressed by the movie PSA idea I must admit)
- In Saudi Arabia King Saud Medical City of Ministry Health is providing workshops for health care professionals and asthma information at a local mall.
- In Nigeria, the Asthma Relief Campaign is providing an asthma walk-in clinic along with the launch of a National Asthma Patient Database
- In Vietnam, the Phoi Viet Respiratory Center is offering continuing education to health care professions and a screening clinic that spans several months.
In my self-centered world of managing my children’s asthma I seemed to have forgotten that we’re part of entire planet full of folks with asthma, basically 230 million people worldwide. Our asthma tribe is quite large and we’re not the only ones working towards making life better with Asthma! Even though I am openly and freely biased and believe the American Lung Association and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America are truly two of the leading organizations dedicated to improving lung health and clean air here in the US, I’m humbled by so many international organizations fighting the good fight too.
Now here is my part, from lovely Reno, Nevada:
You Can Control Your Asthma…by visiting these sites!
- Breathe Well Live Well-an asthma management program for adults from the American Lung Association
- Asthma Overview: what is asthma what causes asthma, diagnosis, treatment and prevention–from the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of American
- Open Airways for Schools–a free self management program for children with asthma that is taught right in their schools from the American Lung Association
- Download this booklet from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, “National Asthma Control Initiative: Keeping Airways Open – Take Action: Stop Asthma Today! What You Can Do, NOW”
I am very proud to be an Open Airways for Schools instructor for the American Lung Association. This program directly improves the lives of children with asthma by empowering students at their schools via six workshops that teach the children how to manage their asthma, avoid asthma attacks, understand the difference between rescue and maintenance medications, the proper usage of a peak flow meter and we even role play how to speak to an adult about your asthma! I’m biased, but I have seen first hand the impact this program has and there is nothing more satisfying as when I see my former students in public carrying their inhalers and sharing stories of asthma attacks that were controlled!!
It feels great to be part of a world-wide movement and commitment to improving lives with asthma.
Happy World Asthma Day!-Caroline
Great information and research. Today, and throught May, is a time for raising awareness and you have done a tremendous job in doing so – great job!
The whole month too? We’ll that will keep us on our toes won’t it?