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Asthma Events Will Educate About Prevention

Release Date: 05/01/2006
Contact Information: Cynthia Fanning at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

(Dallas, Texas - May 1, 2006) In celebration of World Asthma Day on May 2 and Asthma Awareness Month in May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is hosting two education events in Harlingen, Texas. The events are designed to help people understand asthma, its triggers, its impacts on children's health and how asthma can be managed.

"Information is our most effective tool in fighting asthma. When you know what triggers asthma, you can take simple, straightforward steps to manage triggers and avoid asthma attacks," EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene said. "Our asthma workshops will help people get the information they need to make informed decisions for their children and families."

On May 5, "How the Environment Impacts Children's Health: Asthma Triggers, Lead and Other Culprits," will be conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Regional Academic Health Center, 2120 Treasure Hills Boulevard, Harlingen Campus, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The intended audience for this session is asthmatic children and their parents.

The next day, a similar program will be presented at the same place from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, targeted to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and community health workers. Free continuing education credits may be available to these professionals through their respective offices of continuing education.

Asthma is the most common serious chronic disease of childhood. Exposure to environmental triggers can cause asthma in young children who have not previously shown symptoms, and can trigger attacks in people living with asthma. Common asthma triggers include secondhand smoke, cockroaches, dust mites, mold and ozone.

Asthma remains one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and school absenteeism for children. Although there is no known cure for asthma, there are ways to reduce the number of attacks, including avoiding exposure to environmental asthma triggers at home, school and other places where children spend their time.

Visit EPA's Web site https://www.epa.gov/asthma/ to find fact sheets, brochures, children's activity books, and educational videos with information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management. Parents and caregivers can call the No Attacks hotline at 1-866-NOATTACKS (1-866-662-8822) or visit http://www.noattacks.org/ for additional information on how to prevent asthma attacks.

Materials in English and Spanish to help inform the public during Asthma Awareness Month are available at https://www.epa.gov/asthma/media.html. These materials include public service announcements, video news releases, the latest statistics and educational materials.