Category: Uncategorized

September marks the beginning of the new school year. Unfortunately, it also marks the beginning of cooler temperatures, elevated seasonal allergens, and increased circulation of respiratory viruses—all of which may trigger asthma episodes.

This time of year can create challenges if you or your loved ones are living with asthma. Asthma-related visits to emergency departments and doctors’ offices are typically the highest in the fall. During this time of year, it is important to work with health care providers to ensure asthma control:

1. Review and update your Asthma Action Plan with a health care provider. Ensure an updated copy is given to your child’s school or childcare provider; (download AAP from RHA website)
2. Use prescribed asthma medication and ensure proper medication technique is practiced;
3. Manage seasonal allergies by working with your health care provider;
4. Get your yearly flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October.
5. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze with a tissue. Stay home when you are sick.
6. Ensure access to quick-relief asthma medication at all times. If your child will be carrying a quick-relief inhaler in school (ideal for most school age children), complete all necessary school paperwork, including required school health forms (e.g. documentation of an asthma diagnosis, a note signed by you explaining that your child can carry and use a quick-relief inhaler, medication prescription label, etc.). (visit RHA’s webpage asthma management in school)

RHA Prepares for Another Year of Asthma Education

RHA’s 2018 National Health Corps Asthma Educators

RHA recently welcomed three National Health Corps members that will serve as RHA’s asthma educators this school year. This fall, RHA’s asthma educators will deliver RHA’s evidence-based asthma programs, Fight Asthma Now© and Asthma Management, to students with asthma and their adult caregivers throughout Chicagoland schools in an effort to improve asthma management in the area. It’s RHA’s goal to educate more than 2,000 students with asthma and more than 3,000 adult caregivers this school year.

One of the best ways to promote clean air is to promote clean cars.   In 2012, President Obama directed federal agencies to set strict standards for new cars and SUVs requiring vehicles to get higher mileage over time, use less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases. The rules set a goal of getting the average car to 54 miles per gallon by 2025. Extensive technical analysis, vehicles available for sale today and near-weekly announcements by the auto industry show reaching that target is both achievable and beneficial.

Unfortunately, the current Administration is working to finalize a rule that would completely stop any improvement in mileage standards after 2020. This would mean new cars made after 2020 would use more fuel, cost consumers more to operate, emit more greenhouse gases and contribute more to local air pollution – all leading to greater climate instability and increasing health threats.

In addition, the U.S. EPA is proposing to take away California’s legal authority to set a higher bar for limiting vehicle emissions. For decades, California has had the ability to set tighter tailpipe standards for vehicles sold in the state and their leadership has also helped push tighter car tailpipe standards for the nation as a whole. Hybrid electric and 100% battery-powered cars are on the roads today because California demanded that auto manufacturers make and sell vehicles that provide better air quality as well as cost savings. A dozen other states have already adopted California’s tougher standards. Taking away California’s authority would mean that states like Illinois would also be unable to demand better to improve the lives and health of residents.

Urge the government to keep these ‘clean car’ standards in place!