Nationally, May is recognized as Asthma Awareness Month.
According to the American Lung Association “Asthma & Children Fact
Sheet: December 2007,” here are a
few facts regarding asthma:
1. Asthma
can be defined as chronic inflammation of the airways. Asthma attacks are
periodic, reversible episodes of airway obstruction triggered by various
stimuli.
2. Asthma
attacks can be triggered by exercise, stress, cigarette smoke, cold weather or
sudden climate changes, allergic reactions, and colds, to name a few stimuli.
3. Allergic
reactions, which can trigger an asthma attack, include allergens such as
pollen, mold, animal dander, feathers, dust, food, and cockroaches.
4. Asthma
affects approximately 6.8 million children below 18 years of age.
5. Asthma
is considered “the most common chronic disorder in childhood.
6. Exposure
to secondhand smoke as been reported to worsen the condition of 400,000 to one
million asthmatic children.
7. The
estimated direct annual cost for healthcare for asthma is $14.7 billion.
8. An
estimated 679,000 emergency room visits were reported in 2005, due to asthma.
9. Asthma
is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of
15.
10. Asthma
is one of the leading causes of absenteeism in schools, with an estimated 12.8
million days lost in the 2003 statistics.
Below is a list of local and national resources that may be
helpful to determine if you have asthma, or may assist if you have already been
diagnosed with asthma.
Local
American Lung Association of Colorado
(summer camp for kids with asthma; financial scholarships
are available.)
Contact: April Obholz, 303-847-0270
www.lungcolorado.org/ChampCamp.htm
Clinica Tepeyac
(primary health care for uninsured)
5075 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80216
303-458-5302
Colorado Asian Health Education and Promotion
(promoting good health)
www.cahep.org
Colorado Asthma Coalition
(professional and public resources)
www.asthmacolorado.org
Denver Health
(a comprehensive approach to asthma care including
diagnosis, patient education and treatment.)
777 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80204
303-436-6000
www.denverhealth.org
Denver Public Schools Asthma Program
(free education and resources)
www.dpsasthma.org
303-398-1800
It Takes a Village
(free asthma screening and support)
303-367-4747
www.ittakesavillagecolorado.org
Moyo Healing and Cultural Arts Center
(acupuncture and wholistic medicine)
S. Abayomi Obadele Meeks, B.S., D.Ac., L.Ac.
1660 Gilpin St. #300, Denver, CO 80218
303-377-2511
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
(free spirometry programs to test lung function)
303-398-1873
www.nationaljewish.org
Poudre Valley Hospital
(asthma screening fair on May 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
1024 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-495-8153
National
Allergy & Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics
(education, advocacy, community outreach)
1-800-878-4403
www.breatherville.org
