Long Beach Alliance for
Children with
Asthma
We CAN Control Asthma Now
Asthma: The Reality
• Over 17 million in the United States, with 5
million youth
• 2.3 million in California, with a projected 15%
prevalence rate in Long Beach
• Asthma prevalence and mortality (death) rates
have been increasing, especially 5-14 years old
• Affects populations of all ages and SES
• Low income and minority populations have the
highest asthma morbidity (burden of disease)
The Long Beach Alliance for
Children With Asthma
• Vision: The Long Beach Alliance for Children
with Asthma is a partnership to improve the lives
of children with asthma in our community
• One of 7 sites awarded grants under the RWJ
Foundation’s Allies Against Asthma program and
one of 12 sites awarded grants under CA
Endowment’s Community Action to Fight Asthma
(CAFA) program
• Focus is on 90813 and Long Beach as a whole
What is Asthma?
• A chronic (long-term) disorder of the
airways, in which the airways become
blocked or narrowed
• A condition that causes breathing
problems, called attacks or episodes
• Its direct cause is unknown-genetics vs.
environment?
• It can be life threatening
Pathology of Asthma
• Airways are the passages that carry air to the
lungs. They become smaller and smaller, like
branches of a tree.
• Asymptomatic vs. Symptomatic
What is
Happening…
Asthma Episode
Swelling (inflammation),
Tightening (constriction)
which makes the airways smaller of the muscles around the
and harder for air to go through. airways, making them smaller.
Too much mucus
is made, trapping the air.
Signs and Symptoms
 Coughing- day, night, or with exercise
 Trouble Breathing
 Wheezing (whistling noise)
 Tightness in Chest
 Trouble Sleeping/ Waking at night
 Drop in Peak Flow Meter
 Irritability
Triggers
 Smoke & Strong Odors
 Pets
 Mold
 Dust, Dust mites
 Pollen (grass, trees, plants, & weeds)
 Pests (cockroaches or rodents)
 Certain Foods
 Infections (flu and colds)
 Exercise
 Changes in Weather
 Strong Emotions
 Pollution
 Some medications (aspirin)
Trigger Pictures
Medications
Long-Term-Control
Quick Relief
(anti-inflammatory)
(bronchodilator)
o Decreases swelling
o Open the airways fast to
and mucus production
stop an Asthma attack
o Must be taken daily,
o Short acting- up to 4
long-acting
hours
o Flovent, Azmacort,
o Some use before exercise
Pulmicort, Vanceril,
or exposure to trigger
Advair, Serevent,
Singulair, and Intal
o Albuterol
o May take up to 2
weeks to work
Asthma Devices
Inhaler
Spacer, with and without a mask
Nebulizer
Diskus
Peak Flow Meter
Asthma Diary
Asthma Action Plan
Signs of an Asthma
Emergency
Persistent or worsening asthma
signs or symptoms
 Extreme difficulty breathing and talking




Uncontrolled cough
Severe chest tightness
Can’t talk, walk, or move well
Lips or fingernails turn blue
ACT NOW!!!
What to do in an Asthma
Emergency
 Do not leave the child alone
 Calm the child down
 Seat the child upright
 Administer the Quick Relief or Rescue
Medication (Albuterol) immediately and
follow the child’s Asthma Action Plan
 If asthma signs do not improve
immediately call 911 or go to the nearest
emergency room
 If necessary, repeat Albuterol
 If necessary, administer CPR
Tips for the
School,Childcare, & After
school Setting
 ASK students and parents about their asthma and
medication
 Plan for responding to an asthma emergency
 Plan for accessing medication - have appropriate
medication, spacer, and plan available to child
and personnel
 Clean spills promptly (carpets need to be cleaned
properly and dried within 24 hours to prevent
mold growth)
 Keep room clean and clutter-free
Tips for the School,
Childcare, & After school
Setting
 Keep room dusted, vacuum thoroughly and
regularly
 Do not use carpet mats or stuffed pillows
 Remove trash daily
 Do not keep food in room overnight
 Keep setting free from furry or feathered animals
 Keep room free from pests
 Keep room free of the use of scented cleaners
Tips for the
School,Childcare, & After
school Setting
 No perfume
 Least toxic pest management and landscaping
 Low allergen plants, trees and flowers
 Keep exposure to furry or feathered animals to a
minimum, clean cages regularly, consider outdoor
pets, and consider children in the classroom with
identified allergens
 Do not locate animals near ventilation system
vents
Tips for the
School,Childcare, & After
school Setting
Do not block ventilation system vents
Limited outdoor activity on poor air quality
days
Watch children while playing for symptoms
and early signs of an asthma attack
Watch use (and overuse) of inhalers
The Long Beach Alliance for
Children With Asthma
What LBACA can do for you…
– Referrals to
• Asthma classes
• Asthma Wellness Fairs
• Asthma Resource Center
• Community Health Worker home visiting program
– Training
– Educational Materials
The Long Beach Alliance for
Children With Asthma
Home Visiting Program - 3-5 home visits from a
trained community health worker



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Must have a Regular Doctor
Live in Long Beach
Age: under 18
Uncontrolled asthma defined by:
 Missed school days due to asthma
 Emergency room visits for asthma
 Hospitalization for asthma
 Acute clinical or doctor’s office visits for asthma
Asthma Priorities
1.) Early Recognition of Asthma
2.) Proper and timely treatment
3.) Recognition of an asthma emergency
4.) Importance of children living, studying
and playing in an asthma friendly
environment
5.) Expectation that children with asthma can
lead active lives
6.) Importance of a team approach to asthma
management
The Faces of
Asthma