Download the Issue Brief – Stock Asthma Rescue Medication in Schools.
Stock asthma rescue medication in schools is a viable policy solution to help prevent the poor health outcomes that can result when a child experiences an asthma emergency at school, but does not have access to medication. After years of studying this critical policy gap, Respiratory Health Association (RHA) and Legal Council for Health Justice came together in 2017 to actively explore pursuing a stock asthma rescue medication policy in Illinois. In furtherance of that end, we are now proud to present this issue brief assessing the fit and feasibility of stock asthma rescue medication in Illinois schools.
This issue brief explores the burden of asthma and the asthma policy landscape in Illinois and outlines elements of stock asthma rescue medication policies and lessons learned from other states. It concludes with recommendations for adoption of a stock asthma rescue medication in schools policy for Illinois. It is our conclusion that a stock asthma rescue medication policy for Illinois schools could achieve a safer school environment for those living with asthma, and that the most appropriate framework for adoption ofsuch a policy would be via the state’s existing stockundesignated epinephrine auto-injector law in the School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30). RHA and Legal Council for Health Justice hope this paper will serve as a useful educational tool for asthma policy stakeholders statewide to better understand the need for a stock asthma rescue medication policy and how one could be best implemented in Illinois.
Date of Publication: March 2018