| CalAsthma Update - March 06, 2008 |
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GENERAL
1) Event: CDC Asthma Teleconference, March 11th
2) Resource: Contra Costa Asthma Coalition Asthma Toolkit
3) Resource: On-line Discussion on Implications of New Asthma Guidelines
4) Resource: AAFA Asthma Management and Education On-line Program
5) Resource: National Healthy Schools Day plans
6) Resource: EPA Asthma Awareness Month Resources in English and Spanish
7) Study: Respiratory Disease in Early Life Heightens Morbidity and Mortality in Adulthood
8) Study: Allergen Levels in Homes and Asthma Status
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
9) Event: RAMP Schools Roundtable in Oakland, April 10th
10) Event: Great Valley Center Conference on Green Momentum in Sacramento, May 7th
11) Job Announcement: CSBA seeks Senior Health Consultant
12) Job Announcement: DDDC seeks part-time Collaborative Associate
13) Save the Date: Greentools for Healthy Schools Conference in Sacramento, September 11th
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
14) Event: ALA Asthma Educator Institute in Santa Barbara, March 7th
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GENERAL
1) Event: CDC Asthma Teleconference, March 11th
There is a CDC asthma teleconference scheduled for March 11th from 12pm until 1pm Pacific Time. The call will feature Melissa Vezina and the presentation topic is “Disparities in Asthma Hospitalizations among Children Seen in the Emergency Department: A Surveillance Project using Linked Hospitalization and ED Records”. Ms. Vezina coordinates surveillance and evaluation for the New Jersey Asthma Awareness and Education Program (AAEP), located within the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Services Unit of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Melissa acts as a resource to the statewide asthma coalition and other partners by responding to data requests and by providing advice on the application of surveillance data. The presentation for the call can be downloaded at http://www.betterasthmacare.org/file_search.cfm?Category=7&search=yes. Call in information is 888-381-9691, passcode: asthma, leader: Marcia Griffith (mag9@cdc.gov).
2) Resource: Contra Costa Asthma Coalition Asthma Toolkit
The Contra Costa Asthma Coalition (CCAC) was awarded two grants through the Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program from the East Bay and Diablo Valley service areas for 2007-2008. The purpose of these grants is to conduct comprehensive outreach and education in schools, childcare centers, clinics, and to the community on topics such as “First Aid for Asthma”, AB 2132 (right to carry and self-administer inhaler), diesel idling reduction, as well as to promote the use of less toxic “green cleaning” products. A significant aspect of the project focused on developing, modifying, and adapting asthma materials for the school, childcare, and community settings. The materials are available as part of an Asthma Toolkit and can be accessed at http://www.calasthma.org/resources/show_resource/1018/. For questions about the project or to learn more about the Contra Costa Asthma Coalition, please feel free to contact the coalition administrator at ccac-admin@hotmail.com.
3) Resource: On-line Discussion on Implications of New Asthma Guidelines
Communities in Action for Asthma-Friendly Environments is hosting an on-line discussion for participants to share their perspectives on new opportunities and challenges presented to communities based on the recently-released National Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) EPR-3 Guidelines. Each week during the month of March, Dr. Lani Wheeler will host a featured discussion around a component of the new Guidelines. Dr. Wheeler is a public health physician who has been a member of the NAEPP Coordinating Committee since 1992 and is now working with EPA to promote effective asthma management in communities. For more information about how to join the discussion, visit http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/discussions/#discussion.
4) Resource: AAFA Asthma Management and Education On-line Program
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has updated it’s on-line Asthma Management and Education course to conform with the revised NAEPP Asthma Guidelines. The course is structured around NAEPP’s “Four Components of Asthma Management” and allied health professionals who complete the course will expand their knowledge of these four components; assessment and monitoring, control of environmental factors, pharmacologic management, and patient education. The program consists of 12 modules and upon completion of the full course, nurses will be eligible to earn 7 continuing education credits. For more information, please visit http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=4&sub=79&cont=432.
5) Resource: National Healthy Schools Day plans
The Healthy Schools Network has launched a website for National Healthy Schools Day to assist with planning an event to celebrate healthy school facilities. National Healthy Schools Day is April 28th and on the website there are examples for events, event guidelines, information on past events, and an opportunity to connect with partners. For more information, visit http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/. Two conference calls have also been set up as an opportunity to ask questions, talk to colleagues, and learn more – the calls are on March 7th and March 14th at 10am Pacific Time (call: 1-866-228-9900, passcode: 285934#).
6) Resource: EPA Asthma Awareness Month Resources in English and Spanish
For Asthma Awareness Month in May, the U.S. EPA has created an event planning kit that features ideas for outreach and awareness activities, tips for working with the media, success stories, and more. Activities and events can also be submitted on-line to be promoted at no cost and to gain exposure on EPA’s national website. To access the materials in English, visit http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm/#Event%20Planning%20Kit and to access Spanish-language materials, visit http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm_sp.html.
7) Study: Respiratory Disease in Early Life Heightens Morbidity and Mortality in Adulthood
In a study published in the February 14th on-line edition of the journal Thorax, researchers investigated morbidity, and respiratory and cause-specific mortality among people who reported a medical history of bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma early in life. In a historical cohort study of men, medical history of respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma, along with other disease risk factors and socioeconomic conditions was obtained. A subsample responded to a follow-up questionnaire. The results showed that medical history of a respiratory disease (bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma) in early life was associated with a 57% higher risk of overall respiratory disease mortality in adulthood and a more than 2-fold increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality. In addition, respiratory disease in early life was also associated with a higher risk in adulthood of doctor’s diagonosis of asthma. The authors concluded that an early life history of respiratory diseases is associated with higher mortality and morbidity risk in adulthood in men and that all early life respiratory diseases appeared to be negatively associated with later adult respiratory health. To view the abstract of this study, visit http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/thx.2007.086744v1.
8) Study: Allergen Levels in Homes and Asthma Status
In a study published in the February 13th on-line edition of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers characterized the overall burden to multiple allergens and examined whether increased allergen levels were associated with occupants’ asthma status. This cross sectional study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 831 housing units in 75 different locations throughout the United States. Information was collected by means of questionnaire and environmental assessment. Allergen concentrations in dust samples were assessed and allergen burden was considered high when 4 or more allergens exceeded increased levels in any of the sampling locations. Results showed that exposure to multiple allergens was common in U.S. homes. Of the surveyed homes, 51.5% had at least 6 detectable allergens and 45.8% had at least 3 allergens exceeding increased levels. Among atopic subjects, high allergen burden increased the odds of having asthma symptoms. The authors concluded that increased allergen levels in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals. To view the abstract of this study, visit http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(07)03614-7/abstract.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
9) Event: RAMP Schools Roundtable in Oakland, April 10th
The Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP) Initiative is hosting their 5th Annual Schools Roundtable on April 10th from 9:30am until 1:30pm. Topics will include an introduction of newly developed materials on asthma management and emergency information in schools (Asthma Education in 15!) and a discussion on Coordinated School Health. The event will take place in Oakland and lunch will be provided. Space is limited. To register, access a registration form at http://www.calasthma.org/calendar/view_event/1441/ or contact Seham Fare at RAMP at 510-302-3329 or via e-mail at seham@rampasthma.org.
10) Event: Great Valley Center Conference on Green Momentum in Sacramento, May 7th
Great Valley Center is hosting their 11th annual conference, “Green Momentum: Prospering in a New Economy” on May 7th and 8th in Sacramento. The conference will bring together residents, policymakers, and leaders to be exposed to dozens of innovative strategies that Valley businesses and residents are using in their communities and businesses. There will be more than 45 breakout sessions and 100 expert speakers featured and the event will provide an opportunity to learn how the Valley’s economy, communities, and environment will be shaped by the emergent ideas of sustainability, long term planning and collaboration. Conference topics include transportation, land use, green building design, the economy, air quality, water, health care, and education. For more information or to register, visit http://www.greatvalley.org/conference/.
11) Job Announcement: CSBA seeks Senior Health Consultant
The California School Boards Association (CSBA) is seeking a Senior Health Consultant – Governance and Policy Services to lead their indoor air quality and asthma project. Job responsibilities include: leading CSBA and its membership in taking a comprehensive approach to addressing health in schools, with an initial focus on asthma and indoor air quality, responding to requests for information and questions from school board members and school district administrators, developing strategies to implement policies, and working with state level stakeholders and other non-profit health organizations. The closing date for this position is March 15th. For more information, visit http://www.csba.org/AboutCSBA/AboutCSBA/Careers/SeniorHealthConsultant.aspx.
12) Job Announcement: DDDC seeks part-time Collaborative Associate
The Ditching Dirty Diesel Collaborative (DDDC), a regional alliance of Bay Area grassroots community based organizations, labor, environmental science, and public health organizations working to reduce diesel pollution in low-income communities of color, seeks an experienced consultant to serve as the Collaborative Associate. This is a part-time position and hours are expected to range between 7 and 12 per week. The Associate will serve as staff to the DDDC and will work closely with the steering committee and general membership to manage and maintain the DDDC’s position within the Bay Area and at the state level as a leader in diesel reduction and air quality improvements. The position is a combination of administrative, programmatic, development, and technical assistance activities that support the DDDC’s mission and goals. For more information or to apply, contact Karen Pierce at gagajean@yahoo.com.
13) Save the Date: Greentools for Healthy Schools Conference in Sacramento, September 11th
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools, Inc. (CHPS) presents the second annual Greentools for Healthy Schools Conference, Training and Expo on September 11th and 12th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA. The conference will bring together experts in green, healthy school design, construction and operations for two days of workshops, featured speakers, awards, a CHPS school tour and exhibitions. This year's event will focus on three central themes: climate change, high performance school policy, and turning existing schools into high performance schools. Greentools for Healthy Schools aims to make high performance schools a feasible, affordable reality for school districts across the nation. For more information, please visit http://www.chps.net/greentools or call (415) 957-9888.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
14) Event: ALA Asthma Educator Institute in Santa Barbara, March 7th
The American Lung Association of California’s 2008 Asthma Educator Institute will be taking place on March 7th and 8th in Santa Barbara. The Institute is designed to prepare healthcare professionals to take the Asthma Educator Certification Exam. The Institute is intended for licensed healthcare providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, health educators, medical assistants, nursing assistants, and social workers. To register, visit http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=1851. For more information, contact Donna Beal at 805-963-1426 or via e-mail at dbeal@alac.org.
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