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About Asthma
More Information
Parents and Caregivers
Smoke free Home: learn about Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and its health effects on your family. En Español
Asthma Home Checklist (PDF, 260KB, 8 pages, info about PDF)
Learn to eliminate asthma triggers in your home.
Taking Control - A Guide for People with Asthma 
A guide for understanding the severity of your child's asthma.
National Environmental Leadership Awards in Asthma Management
School Nurses/Teachers
Partners
Mid-Atlantic Region Asthma Initiative (MARAI)
Asthma Community Network
Connect with National programs
Check out our MARAI Newsletter.
Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. EPA is committed to educating all Americans about asthma so that everyone knows what asthma is, how the environment can affect asthma patients and how to manage environmental asthma triggers.
Asthma Facts
- Asthma leads to 2 million emergency room visits and 5,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
- Asthma accounted for more than 14 million missed school days in 2000.
- Asthma costs (health care costs and lost productivity) totaled $14 billion in 2002.
Asthma Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Asthma?
- Who Gets Asthma?
- What Causes Asthma?
- What Happens During an Asthma Attack?
- How is Asthma Treated and Controlled?
What is Asthma?
Who Gets Asthma?
What Causes Asthma?
Click on the links below to learn more about Asthma triggers commonly found indoors where Americans spend up to 90% of their time and ways to reduce exposure to them:
- Secondhand (cigarette) Smoke
- Cockroaches and Other Pests
- Dust Mites & House Dust
- Molds
- Pets and Other Animals
- Nitrogen Dioxide
What Happens During an Asthma Attack?
- Cells in the air tubes make more mucus than normal. The mucus is thick and sticky and tends to clog up the air tubes.
- Cells in the airways get inflamed, causing the air tubes to swell.
- The muscles around the air tubes tighten. These changes cause the air tubes to narrow and make it hard to breathe.
How is Asthma Diagnosed?
Symptoms occur or worsen in the presence of exercise, allergens, irritants, and viral infections (e.g. cold and flu). Young children whose primary symptom is a cough or who wheeze with respiratory infections are often misdiagnosed as having bronchitis or pneumonia (including acute respiratory infection, ARI), and thus are ineffectively treated with antibiotics or cough suppressants. Tobacco smokers and elderly patients frequently suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with symptoms similar to asthma. Yet they may also have asthma and benefit from treatment.
How is Asthma Treated and Controlled?
on the American Lung Association® web site. Together, you and your doctor can monitor your asthma, determine common triggers and how to avoid them, and access the best medications to treat your asthma.Asthma Awareness Month Activities in Region III
| Event: | Luzerne World Asthma Day |
| Date: | 5/3/2008 |
| Time: | 8:30 - 11:30 am |
| Location: | Building 3, Luzerne County Community College Nanticoke, PA |
| Description: | Free pulmonary function tests (PFTs), physician speakers, hands on device training and lots of free information on asthma |
| Contact: | Tony Delonti, Luzerne County Asthma Coalition
|
| Event: | World Asthma Day |
| Date: | 5/3/2008 |
| Time: | 8:30 -11:30 am |
| Location: | Luzerne County Community College 1333 South Prospect Street, Building 3, Nanticoke, PA 18634 |
| Description: | There will be free lung function testing as well as informational booths on lung disease and treatments. Speakers for the day will include Dr. Vasanthi Puggazhendi, Geisinger Medical Center Pulmonary Center, Dr Charlotte Casterline, Allergist and Immunologist and Dr. Alison Freeman, Pediatric Allergist and Immunologist. Topics will include Asthma 101, Allergen Controls, Asthma Action Plans, Peak Flow and How to Use It, Asthma Medications and Treatment of Severe Asthma Flares. There will also activities for children. |
| Contact: | Tony Delonti, American Lung Association/Steps to a Healthier Luzerne County
|
| Event: | Asthma Walk and Fresh Air Fair |
| Date: | 5/3/2008 |
| Time: | 10 am |
| Location: | Hospital Atrium The Square at 2nd and South Streets, Philadelphia, PA |
| Description: | Kindred kid zone, live music, jugglers, and food. Registration begins at 9 am. |
| Contact: | Michael Melcher, American Lung Association Philadelphia, PA Phone: 610-941-9595 Email: mmelcher@lunginfo.org |
| Event: | Asthma Information Table |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Time: | 10 am - 3 pm |
| Location: | 3705 Fifth Avenue., Pittsburgh, PA |
| Description: | Information tables in hospital lobby. |
| Contact: | Lori Holt, Children's Hospital Pittsburgh, PA |
| Event: | Information Tables |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Location: | UPMC Monefiore 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA |
| Description: | Information tables outside of cafeterias. |
| Contact: | Catherine Vitari, UPMC Monefiore Pittsburgh, PA Phone: 412-692-4373 Email: vitarica@upmc.edu |
| Event: | Information Tables |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Location: | UPMC Presbyterian 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA |
| Description: | Information tables outside of cafeterias. |
| Contact: | Catherine Vitari, UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA Phone: 412-692-4373 Email: vitarica@upmc.edu |
| Event: | At a Click: Asthma Answers |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Location: | 201 Smith Drive, Suite E Cranberry Township, PA Website: www.healthylungs.org |
| Description: | The launching of a new educational aspect of the American Respiratory Alliance Web page. |
| Contact: | Christine Weaver, American Respiratory Alliance Cranberry Township, PA Phone: 724-772-1750 Email: cweaver@healthylungs.org |
| Event: | Asthma Awareness Day |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Time: | 10:30 am - 1 pm |
| Location: | Hospital Atrium 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA |
| Description: | Games, prizes, and asthma education. |
| Contact: | Amy Saggiomo, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Phone: 215-590-1000 Email: saggiomo@email.chop.edu |
| Event: | Luzerne World Asthma Day (en Espanol) |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Time: | 2 – 5 pm |
| Location: | Partners in Pediatrics 134 Airport Rd, Hazleton, PA |
| Description: | Free pulmonary function tests (PFTs), physician speakers, hands on device training, and lots of free information on asthma. |
| Contact: | Tony Delonti, Luzerne County Asthma Coalition c/o ALA-NEPA, Marywood University, Scranton, PA 18509 Phone: 570-346-1784 Fax: 570-969-5280 Email: adelonti@lunginfo.org |
| Event: | World Asthma Day Screening |
| Date: | 5/6/2008 |
| Time: | 2 - 5 pm |
| Location: | Geisinger Partners in Pediatrics Clinic 134 Airport Road, Hazleton, PA 18202 |
| Description: | There will be free lung function testing, asthma information and giveaways and the chance to talk with an asthma nurse educator and respiratory therapists. You can call the office at 570-501-7512 for details. There will be a translator available for the Spanish speaking community. |
| Contact: | Geisinger Partners in Pediatrics Clinic 134 Airport Road, Hazleton, PA 18202 Phone: 570-501-7512 Email: alfreeman@geisinger.edu |
| Event: | Asthma Olympics with World Asthma Day |
| Date: | 5/10/2008 |
| Time: | 9:30 am - 1 pm |
| Location: | 201 Smith Drive, Suite E Harrisburg, PA |
| Description: | Educational and fun event for children with asthma. |
| Contact: | Brandi Davenport, American Lung Association and Hamilton Health Center Harrisburg, PA Phone: 717-703-4331 Email: slewis@lunginfo.org |
| Event: | Asthma Olympics |
| Date: | 5/17/2008 |
| Time: | 12 – 4 pm |
| Location: | HealthPlex Springfield Hospital 190 W Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA 19064 |
| Description: | We are having a fun day for children with asthma ages 6-15. There will be four sports events: football toss, 50-yard dash, obstacle course, and basketball. We are also doing an asthma, BMI and blood pressure screening. There will be entertainment and education for everyone. |
| Contact: | Deborah Whitsett, Crozer Keystone Health System One Medical Center Blvd, Upland, PA 19063 Phone: 610-447-6030 Fax: 610-619-8581 Email: Deborah.Whitsett@Crozer.org |
| Event: | 9th Annual Asthma Fair |
| Date: | 5/17/2008 |
| Time: | 11 am - 3 pm |
| Location: | 201 Smith Drive, Suite E Cranberry Township, PA |
| Description: | |
| Contact: | Christine Weaver, American Respiratory Alliance Cranberry Township, PA Phone: 724-772-1750 Email: cweaver@healthylungs.org |
| Event: | Asthma and Allergy Awareness Day |
| Date: | 5/17/2008 |
| Time: | 11 am – 2 pm |
| Location: | The Franklin Institute 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Website: http://www2.fi.edu/ |
| Description: | A fun day for the Philadelphia community to learn about asthma and allergies. |
| Contact: | Center for School and Community Health Education, UMDNJ-SPH 335 George Street, Suite 2200, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Phone: 732-236-4988 Email: sph-csche@lists.umdnj.edu |
| Event: | People with Asthma |
| Date: | 6/5/2008 |
| Time: | 9:30 am - 1:30 pm |
| Location: | 190 N. Main, Suite 208, Washington, PA |
| Description: | Education session |
| Contact: | Lee Rutledge Falcione, Washington County Health Partners Washington, PA Phone: 724-222-6511 x16 Email: lrf@wchpinc.org |
Contact:
Janice Lewis
Air Protection Division
Tel. - 215-814-2185
Email: lewis.janice@epa.gov