<A Red Flag for Parents and Schools>


	A Red Flag Raised For Parents of Kids With Asthma And School Officials By Ross Porter, Communications Director, American Lung Association of San Diego California Starting high school is challenging for any student, but the shyness that incoming Patrick Henry student Kelvin Dean feels could be life-threatening. Kelvin is training hard with his new high school’s cross-country team, and sneaks a dose on his asthma inhaler when teammates aren’t watching. Shy about declaring his asthma, Kelvin is working hard to be part of the cross country team before school has even started – and he hasn’t yet told his coaches about needing to have asthma medication nearby in case of emergency. According to an American Lung Association online survey of parents of children with asthma, three-fourths (74.4 percent) of parents whose children do have inhalers at school responded that their child’s school does not allow students to keep rescue inhalers with them (in their desks, pockets, etc.), while 40 percent of parents have never heard of an Asthma Action Plan. “The American Lung Association’s survey results send a dramatic red flag to parents of students with asthma and to school officials,” said Bernadette A. Toomey, American Lung Association President & Chief Executive Officer. “The breakdown in critical communication links among parents, schools, and teachers means that some children are facing situations at school that can lead to medical emergencies. They must have immediate access to lifesaving medications.” Kelvin’s mom, Jocelyn, is planning to have a talk with Kelvin’s school nurse and the administrative staff. She’s also glad that Kelvin has attended the American Lung Association’s SCAMP Camp for kids with asthma, and has a better sense of what triggers asthma and how to recognize early warning signs. Access to “quick-relief” or “rescue” medications is critical for people with asthma, as these medications immediately open the airways during an asthma attack. The longer it takes to administer quick-relief medications, the more severe the asthma attack may become. More than 6.5 million American children under age 18 have asthma, including 59,000 in San Diego County. Nearly 22% of respondents indicated that their children may not have immediate access to their lifesaving inhalers during an attack. Those respondents indicated that if their children have trouble with asthma symptoms during the school day, the school calls a parent or caregiver who brings quick-relief medicine to the child; the child does not get his/her rescue medicine until they get home from school; or the school calls an ambulance. Jocelyn Dean, Kelvin’s mother, is hopeful that schools and the media can inform non- asthmatic kids about asthma, “peers may save a life when jogging, hiking or participating alongside someone with asthma.” “ The American Lung Association wants as many students as possible to carry their rescue medications,” explained Norman H. Edelman, M.D., American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer. “For each child and each situation, the school, parents, and healthcare provider together must evaluate many factors. They need to consider the student’s maturity level, understanding of their symptoms and when they need medication, and their willingness to follow the school’s policies about carrying your own medication. That relationship among the family, school officials and the child’s health care provider, who must be directing and communicating a specific asthma management plan, is critical.” As part of its asthma and school health programs, the American Lung Association (ALA) has partnered with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) to build capacity of local community coalitions and education agencies to address the impact of asthma. Both agencies focus efforts on strengthening communication between schools and parents. “We applaud the American Lung Association for working to raise awareness about it,” said AASA Executive Director Paul Houston. “AASA is committed to ensuring that district-level decision-makers play an active role in asthma management, and we are committed to increasing the capacity of these leaders to work with parents to provide the safest learning environment for their children.” The National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute’s National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommends that written action plans be created as part of an overall effort to educate patients in self-management. Schools play pivotal roles in students’ asthma management by providing an asthma-friendly school environment, communicating with parents about students’ specific health experiences while at school, and facilitating referrals to healthcare providers and other community resources when necessary. “The survey results help the American Lung Association and our school, medical, and community partners focus our efforts to increase parents’ and school officials’ abilities to best manage students’ asthma,” said Toomey. “It is a shared responsibility. Parents must be sure that children who have prescribed rescue inhalers have them at school. Physicians must provide written plans for schools and parents. And schools must communicate clearly with parents and follow state law and local policies to ensure that students have immediate access to lifesaving medications,” she said. Tips for parents of children with asthma, as well as resources for schools and healthcare providers, are available at www.lungusa.org, or by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA.

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