World Asthma Day 2013: Asthma Management in the Classroom

WORLD ASTHMA DAY 2013: ASTHMA MANAGEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM

Allowing children to take control of their asthma with support from teachers

Saskatoon, May 2, 2013 - On May 7, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan will be celebrating this year’s World Asthma Day. In Saskatchewan alone, there are about 35,000 children living with asthma. If not properly managed, these children struggle with participating in school sports, persistent cough and heightened allergic reactions. In fact, asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization among children in Canada.

On World Asthma Day, the Lung Association has two activities planned.

The first is a webinar video focusing on asthma management in a classroom setting. Teachers need to be provided with information regarding basic signs and symptoms indicating a child has asthma; potential causes of asthma triggers in their school; what to do during an asthma worsening or emergency. Teachers can do a great deal to help children maintain good asthma control, but they need to be provided with the educational tools and experiences to do so.

"I have had students in my class who struggled with asthma; they missed days of school, had a hard time keeping up with their friends and couldn't participate in physical activities. It's great to learn there are some things I can do to help," states Shauna Fauvelle, a teacher from rural Saskatchewan.

The online webinar provides teachers and anyone who is somehow affected by asthma an accessible and comprehensive understanding of this disease with "real world" management applications.

Second, the Lung Association will host a Facebook chat (8am – 9pm) where questions can be posed to a Certified Respiratory Educator regarding asthma management or any other asthma concerns. We're focusing on empowerment through education—informing parents, teachers and the general public.

"Parents always have questions about their child's asthma, we want to be able to support parents with any knowledge they are searching for," says Jaimie Peters, Certified Respiratory Educator and Health Promotions Coordinator from the Lung Association.

About The Lung Association

Established in 1911, The Lung Association is Saskatchewan's oldest health charity. You have come to know and trust The Lung Association as the premier source for lung health in our province. All of our quality educational materials, programs, services and treatment guidelines are based on current evidence-based research. You will find The Lung Association active in communities across Saskatchewan conducting lung disease prevention and management programs that include asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer and smoking cessation. The Lung Association also provides training for health care professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day is Tuesday, May 7, 2013. More information available at: www.sk.lung.ca/wad

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For more information, please contact:

Jaimie Peters, RN, BSN, Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE)
The Lung Association of Saskatchewan
1-888-566-5864 or 1-306-343-9511
jaimie.peters@sk.lung.ca