RHA’s Asthma Programs

FIGHT ASTHMA NOW©

This evidence-based, school-based asthma self-management curriculum is designed for youth (3rd – 6th grades) and teens (7th – 12th grades) with asthma.

RHA developed Fight Asthma Now^© based on the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) clinical practice guidelines, coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and with input from pediatricians, respiratory therapists, community educators and parents of children with asthma. Fight Asthma Now^© teaches children how to identify their asthma symptoms, how to avoid asthma triggers and how to exercise proper medication technique.

Fight Asthma Now^© is being used by Los Angeles Unified School District and select schools in Washington D.C. We collaborate with a variety of community and government partners including Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Chicago Park District (CPD) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to reach communities with a high burden of asthma, primarily Chicago’s South and West Sides.

RHA conducted a formal validation study of our Fight Asthma Now© program during the 2007-2008 school year, which concluded that the program achieved behavioral change and knowledge gain. This study was published in the October 2011 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

All participants in Fight Asthma Now^© complete a pre- and post-survey to assess knowledge gain and intent for behavior change. Ongoing program evaluation efforts indicate that Fight Asthma Now^© increases student understanding of asthma medication and proper medication technique, essential components to asthma management.

RHA's ASTHMA MANAGEMENT

RHA’s Asthma Management is a one-hour program to educate parents, teachers and caregivers of children with asthma. Asthma Management aims to help parents, caregivers, community groups, school staff, and daycare providers better recognize and more effectively support children living with asthma.

Asthma Management uses content set forth in NAEPP guidelines, including early recognition of asthma symptoms, common asthma triggers, trigger avoidance strategies, proper inhaler use and descriptions of various asthma medications.

The Asthma Management program is tailored to meet the needs of each audience.

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT FOR SCHOOL STAFF Webinar

In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in 2017, Respiratory Health Association developed Asthma Management for School Staff. Asthma Management for School Staff is an online training that highlights appropriate emergency response procedures and Illinois policies that apply to asthma management in schools.

The program helps schools comply with Public Act 99-0843, enacted in August 2016 at RHA’s urging, which requires each Illinois school district to:

•  Have an approved asthma episode emergency response protocol
•  Ensure school staff receive asthma management training every two years
•  Request an Asthma Action Plan annually from students with documented asthma

ASTHMA-FRIENDLY CHILDCARE Toolkit

To prevent unnecessary asthma emergencies in the daycare setting, RHA has developed an Asthma-Friendly Childcare toolkit. This comprehensive guide will help your facility evaluate your level of asthma friendliness.

In addition to using the toolkit, you may bring RHA to your facility for Asthma Management, our hands-on, one-hour training.