Summary
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America applauds Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Mike DeWine (R-OH)
who recently introduced the Family Asthma Act of 2005 to address the unmet
need for better asthma control and management, particularly in underserved
populations.
"The government has done an incredible job recognizing the impact of
asthma and working with the broad medical community to help millions of people
better understand how to control this disease," said Chris Ward, a patient
with asthma and allergies and President of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation
of America. "Yet, despite the availability of effective treatments and
management strategies, a roadmap for asthma research and coordination of
activity is needed to reach American communities most in need. The Family
Asthma Act is that roadmap."
The Family Asthma Act authorizes $18 million in each of fiscal years 2006-
2010 for pilot prevention and intervention research projects administered by
the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), an expansion of activities by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), better mechanisms
to coordinate Federal asthma-related activities, and new training grants for
asthma care providers and education specialists.
Nearly 20 million Americans, including over 6 million children are
diagnosed with asthma, and African Americans and certain Hispanic populations
are disproportionately affected. Asthma prevalence is projected to reach a
rate of 1 in 14 Americans and will affect 1 in 5 families by the year 2020.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the NIH estimates the annual
cost of asthma in the U.S. in 2004 was over $16 billion.
THE FACE OF ASTHMA
Kevin Hall is a 12-year-old who represents two populations hit hard by
asthma -- African Americans and children. "I remember spending so much energy
just trying to prevent ER visits and keep my son out of the hospital," said
his mother Renee. Kevin's story brings to life how the Family Asthma Act
could benefit asthma sufferers nationwide.
For years Kevin's severe asthma was poorly controlled and he missed an
average of 70 days of school each year, and made up to three emergency room
visits every month. Finally, through better education about the disease and
improved communication between Kevin, his doctors and his family, he and his
mother learned about a new a kind of asthma therapy to treat an underlying
cause of his asthma, and they learned how to better control asthma inside and
outside the home. Since then, Kevin's lung function has improved to 98
percent, he has been out of the emergency room for more than a year and he
completed an entire nine-week school period without missing a single day. "He
looks like the picture of health. I don't have to restrict him any more,"
says his mother. "This is the first summer where he's finally having a
summer."
Kevin and Renee learned the hard way, through many years of living with
uncontrolled asthma. The Family Asthma Act will support community efforts to
help millions of American families like the Halls learn about asthma and how
to prevent and treat this chronic disease before it's too late.
RESPONDING TO A NATIONAL CRISIS
The Family Asthma Act proposes to support education and outreach
initiatives to help people better understand and control their asthma. Health
education programs that focus on teaching patients and their families about
asthma are proven methods and can make a big difference in the lives of
patients. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America develops these kinds of
community outreach and education programs to help children, adults and health
care providers.
As one example, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has created
an education program called "Sleep, Work, Play" (http://www.SleepWorkPlay.com)
to improve communication between asthma patients, families and health care
providers. "Sleep, Work, Play" (also "Sleep, Learn, Play" for kids) is simple
and easy to remember and incorporates the three essential components of life
in evaluating, communicating and achieving better control of asthma. This
program provides online tools and printed materials to help people learn and
talk about asthma. The Family Asthma Act could support quality health programs
like this one.
Original source:
http://prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-27-2005/0004076609&EDATE=
Details
Asthma Foundation Applauds Family Asthma Act (press release)
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, and he has authored and published several downloadable personal preparedness courses including a downloadable course focused on safety and self defense. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.com, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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