Associations In Action -- News from Around the State

Breathe Easy news magazine, Spring/Summer 2001

East Bay Focuses on Asthma Education

Following the strategic plan to focus on asthma, research has been completed on an asthma survey conducted in all three counties served by the American Lung Association of the East Bay. The results will guide the messages and programs over the next three years, including the purchase of a mobile neighborhood asthma van.

On April 6, a regional asthma conference will be conducted to update physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and allied health professionals on the practical applications of the latest scientific advances.

Sacramento to Snuff Out College Smoking

The Joe Camel generation (18 to 24-year-olds) has seen a 22 percent increase in tobacco use, and the American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails is taking action. With a three-year grant awarded from Sacramento Country Tobacco Litigation funds, an exciting college advocacy project at California State University, Sacramento, is underway.

This project will mark the first time such an aggressive and well-funded program targeting this age group has been implemented on a college campus. The campaign will research attitudes, create media messages in student venues, evaluate and change policy and work with the Student Health Center on exploring cessation methods.

Central California Addresses High Asthma Death Rate

Between 8 and 10 percent of Central California’s population has lung disease, and more than 60,000 are children with asthma. Fresno County has one of the three highest death rates from asthma in the United States.

The Central California Asthma Project attacks this problem by developing asthma coalitions and strengthening their ability to meet this area's needs. More than 59,800 people have been served this year, through professional and patient trainings, school programs and presentations to the public.

The American Lung Association of Central California, San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium and Palo Alto Medical Foundation are working together to increase asthma awareness and control.

Orange County Helps Kids Learn About Asthma and Air Pollution

Children in Orange County learned what it’s like to have asthma, how air pollution contributes to attacks, and what can be done to clean the air when the American Lung Association of Orange County worked with Adelphia Communications (a local cable company) to create a feature for the "Kids Talk" TV show.

Five children were interviewed and video clips from the American Lung Association of Orange County were used to talk about SCAMP Camp and show children taking part in lung association educational activities. The program aired to hundreds of thousands of viewers in February.

Central Coast Announces New Program Funding

The American Lung Association of the Central Coast is pleased to announce the funding of two new asthma initiatives.

The Asthma Assessment Initiative, funded by the California Endowment, will include Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Northern Santa Barbara and San Benito counties. Completion of this program will provide a comprehensive look at all current asthma programs and needs in the Central Coast area.

The association is also one of six agencies funded by the Department of Health Services for its Early Childhood Asthma Initiative.

San Francisco Secures Asthma, TB Grants

The American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties received $119,000 through the statewide Proposition 10 funds to provide outreach and education on asthma. Working in partnership with a variety of organizations, this program will be implemented within the childcare community in San Francisco.

The association will be receiving another $143,500 grant from the Centers for Disease Control to coordinate the development of a strategic plan for the prevention and control of TB in San Francisco.

Both grants are part of larger grants funded through the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

Los Angeles County Scores Success with Open Airways, Tools for Schools

The Los Angeles City Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution on January 23 recognizing the value of the American Lung Association’s Tools for Schools and Open Airways For Schools, and recommending further implementation. This means the second-largest school district in the nation has identified these two programs as essential for a healthy school environment. American Lung Association of Los Angeles County board member Anastacio Medina was instrumental in this success.

The local NBC affiliate broadcast a special assignment story February 28 on the Tools for Schools program, featuring association volunteer mentors.