School classrooms, hallways and playgrounds to be intervention points for kids with asthma

Teachers and education support professionals are about to get the information they need to help the growing number of students in America who have childhood asthma - one of the most common chronic diseases among children. Today, the National Education Association (NEA), the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) and the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. (MCAN) are launching a free online training program that will educate the 3.2 million members of NEA on how to help students better manage their asthma while at school. The online training can be accessed at www.neaacademy.org and is also available to other members of the school community such as parents, principals, superintendents, and facility managers.

Nationwide estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that asthma is present in every school across the country, likely affecting three children per classroom of thirty students. ⁽¹⁾ A closer look at available community-level data indicates that some communities carry an even heavier burden, with up to 40 percent of children living with asthma in some areas. ⁽²⁾ The condition, which is largely manageable, accounts for children missing nearly 13 million school days each year ⁽³⁾ and costs the nation $10 billion in indirect costs related to school absenteeism and missed workdays for caregivers. ⁽⁴⁾

"When we give teachers and other school professionals resources to support student learning, everyone benefits," said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "I am proud that NEA, MCAN, and the NEA Health Information Network are partnering in this way to increase awareness about asthma and asthma management."

The online course, Managing Asthma in the School Environment, provides teachers, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, and other school staff with essential information about the condition, allowing them to be better prepared to help students manage their asthma while at school. It includes an overview of asthma including its causes; signs and symptoms; tips for controlling and treating asthma; and, strategies for creating asthma-friendly schools. Additionally, it provides suggested changes that can be made to reduce triggers in school environments, such as removing upholstered furniture and ensuring good indoor environmental quality.

Instructional content in the course stems from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program's Expert Panel Report 3 ⁽⁵⁾ as well as evidence-based learnings and findings from on-the-ground programs and other research on childhood asthma. ⁽⁶⁾ The MCAN-funded Los Angeles Unified School District Comprehensive Asthma Program for example, has successfully trained staff to recognize the symptoms of asthma. Children in the program have experienced a significant reduction in emergency room visits for acute asthma episodes. The program has also been successful in reducing daytime and nighttime symptoms and improving asthma control between baseline and three months.

"When it comes to managing asthma, while the doctor plays a key role, it's also important to train the team of people who care for students with asthma almost every day. That's an effective way to help keep asthma under control," said Floyd Malveaux, Executive Director of MCAN, the only national non-profit organization focused solely on childhood asthma.

"Growing up with asthma can be challenging. Students whose asthma is not under good control may have a tough time participating in physical activity, sleeping through the night, or concentrating during the school day. By helping students manage their asthma they can lead healthy, active lives like everyone else," said Jerry Newberry, NEA HIN Executive Director.

Provided by The Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc.