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September 15th , 2004
Contacts:
Andy Weisser, (818) 703-6444, aweisser@earthlink.net
www.californialung.org
or your local American Lung Association at (800) LUNG-USA.
Asthma Bill of Rights Helps California Children with Asthma Through Parents and Teachers
State Legislation Could Provide Easier Access to Asthma Medications in Schools
OAKLAND, CA (Embargoed: September 15, 2004) For the more than 800,000 children in California with asthma who need help managing their life-threatening disease, and the many who end up in the emergency room each year, the American Lung Association of California today unveiled the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights, a new tool to help children assert their right to live active, healthy lives.
The Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights includes 10 statements that form the pillars of a complete asthma-management plan, including the right to breathe clean air at home and at school, the right to play sports with a doctor’s agreement, the right to know his or her asthma triggers, and the right to effective and affordable asthma medications. The Asthma Bill of Rights also encourages children to work with their parents, teachers and doctors to create an “Asthma Action Plan.”
The Asthma Bill of Rights is intended to start a frank conversation between children and their parents, between parents and teachers, and among principals, policy makers and elected officials. For children to fully realize these rights, the American Lung Association of California is calling for changes in attitudes, public policies and laws related to asthma and air pollution and access to health care.
The Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights is another way that American Lung Associations in California are helping to help combat asthma. Children can download the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights and find more information about the American Lung Association asthma programs and Asthma Walks by visiting www.californialung.org.
Through a statewide public opinion poll conducted earlier this year and sponsored by the American Lung Association of California, 88 percent of California adults said they favor passing a law requiring all schools to allow children with asthma who have the approval of a parent and doctor to carry and use their asthma inhalers any time they need to at school. In fact, such state legislation, supported by the American Lung Association of California (Assembly Bill 2132, Reyes (D-Fresno), is pending.
“Asthma is so frustrating because it is a disease that actually can be managed, but often isn't ,” said Timothy A. Morris, MD, president of the California Thoracic Society, the American Lung Association of California's medical section and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. “Asthma doesn't necessarily have to result in multiple trips to the ER and limits on normal childhood activity. Medical research has shown us the steps that need to be taken to manage the lung disease. Now we've laid down very clearly the specific rights that will give children, parents and teachers a road map to effective asthma management.”
American Lung Associations in California, as well as local Lung Association offices throughout the nation, are providing Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights posters to schools and organizations in their communities. Parents, guardians or teachers can also sign a petition at www.lungusa.org to affirm their belief that all children suffering from asthma are entitled to regular medical care and affordable medicines, proven elements in asthma management. The American Lung Association is also encouraging children’s and parenting magazines to print the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights as a public service announcement in upcoming issues.
“Children with asthma should expect nothing less than an active, healthy life free of frightening asthma episodes,”said Nancy Spradling, executive director with the California School Nurses Organization. “The American Lung Association’s Kids With Asthma Bill of Rights will raise everyone’s standards of expectations in asthma management in a positive, straightforward manner.”
A survey of school nurses conducted last year by the American Lung Association found that many school staff members lack awareness of the causes of an asthma attack, and a recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that parents often target the wrong triggers when trying to prevent asthma attacks in their children. According to guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute, kids who work with their parents and teachers to manage their asthma can and should play sports and otherwise live active lives.
More than six million children under 18, roughly the population of Indiana, have asthma nationwide. As part of its commitment to research, the American Lung Association created and funds 20 Asthma Clinical Research Centers throughout the country, including the most recent center at the University of California, San Diego, which conduct large clinical trials that provide important and immediately practical information about asthma.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution is a major trigger for asthma episodes and has been linked to increased use of asthma medications, emergency room visits and hospital admissions by asthma patients. For 30 years, the American Lung Association has fought to clean the air both indoors and outdoors. The organization has vigorously fought to require the strict enforcement of the Clean Air Act. The Lung Association has sued the EPA to block laws that exempt dirty power plants, factories and oil refineries from meeting clean air standards. In addition, the Lung Association has led the way in advocating for state laws and local ordinances that provide smoke-free public spaces to help people breathe clean air everywhere.
Says 8-year-old Jonah Ramirez of San Bernardino, "It is a crime when people, including kids, are forced to breathe air that makes them sick." Ramirez is an Asthma Ambassador for the American Lung Association of the Inland Counties and has been working hard to raise awareness about the serious impact air pollution has on health.
For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1.800.LUNG.USA (1.800.586.4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org.call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit
www.californialung.org.
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