BREATHING SPACE
Respiratory Disease Newsletter
Health Promotion & Chronic Disease Division
Chronic Disease & Environmental Epidemiology Section
Volume 4, Number 3
Preventing Asthma and
Death from Methylenebis
(phenyl isocyanate)
The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) requests
assistance in preventing
asthma, other respiratory
diseases, and death from
exposure to methylenebis
(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI).
More than 10,000 U.S.
workers are potentially exposed
to MDI during spray-on truck
bed lining operations. This
Alert summarizes four case
reports: one death and several
incidents of asthma or other
respiratory disease following
exposure to MDI during sprayon truck bed lining operations.
Information about preventing
adverse health effects from
exposure to MDI is urgently
needed by workers, employers,
small business owners, and
physicians and other health
care providers.
Printed copies of this alert will
be available around Sept. 18,
2006. In the interim you can
access the final version at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/
2006-149/.
FDA Public Health Advisory
September 2006
Serevent Diskus (salmeterol xinafoate inhalation powder),
Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate & salmeterol inhalation powder),
Foradil Aerolizer (formoterol fumarate inhalation powder)
In May 2006, FDA requested manufacturers of Advair Diskus, Foradil Aerolizer, and
Serevent Diskus to update their existing product labels with new warnings and a
Medication Guide for patients to alert healthcare professionals and patients that these
medicines may increase the chance of severe asthma episodes, and death when those
episodes occur. All of these products contain medicines belonging to the class known
as “long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists” (LABA), which are long-acting
bronchodilator medicines. Bronchodilator medicines, such as LABAs, help to relax
the muscles around the airways in the lungs. Wheezing (bronchospasm) happens
when the muscles around the airways tighten. Even though LABAs decrease the
frequency of asthma episodes, these medicines may make asthma episodes more
severe when they occur.
Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Foradil, and Serevent Diskus Information
(Long Acting Beta Agonists)
On November 18, 2005, FDA alerted health care professionals and patients that
several long-acting bronchodilator medicines have been associated with possible
increased risk of worsening wheezing (bronchospasm) in some people, and requested
that manufacturers update warnings in their existing product labeling. This
information has now been included in updated labeling.
On March 2, 2006, FDA approved new safety labeling and Medication Guides for
patients for Serevent Diskus (salmeterol xinafoate) and Advair Diskus (fluticasone
propionate; salmeterol xinafoate).
On June 19, 2006, FDA approved new safety labeling and a Medication Guide for
patients for Foradil (formoterol fumarate), and also approved Advair HFA.
Information from FDA @ http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/LABA/default.htm
What’s Inside?
• Strategic Planning
• The Coach’s Clipboard Program: Winning with Asthma
• Asthma in Minnesota Children
• MAC Changes
• Strategic Planning
• Regional MAC Events
• Journal of School Health Article
Preparing for the Seasonal Flu
Respiratory infections like influenza (flu) are more serious in people with asthma as
they can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. Therefore, all people with
asthma should get an annual flu shot as part of their routine care. More information on seasonal influenza can be found on the MDH Web site at www.mdhflu.com,
click on “Seasonal Influenza.” Under “Influenza Basics,” check out the “Influenza
(Flu) Information for Parents.” For school staff, click on “School Influenza Update.”
September 2006
Breathing Space
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The Coach’s Clipboard Program: Winning With Asthma
Between January and June, 2006, more than 400 Minnesota coaches and
physical education teachers completed the Coach’s Asthma Clipboard Program
“Winning With Asthma” online training and received:
• A Coach’s Asthma Clipboard that includes actions to take in an urgent or 911
situation
• A coach’s asthma education booklet
• A laminated card for their first aid box with steps on how manage asthma on
the field
• A certificate of completion
• The satisfaction of knowing what to do during an asthma attack!
On October, 31, 2001, the
Commissioner’s Asthma Advisory
Work Group met for the first time
and began the process of crafting
the five-year “Strategic Plan for
Addressing Asthma in Minnesota.”
The plan was completed early in
2002, and implementation has
been underway since then, aided
significantly by the federal grant
for “Addressing Asthma from a
Public Health Perspective.”
To continue addressing asthma and
to continue receiving this funding
from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), it
is necessary to prepare a revised,
updated five-year. To that end,
work is underway assembling
another Commissioner’s Asthma
Advisory Group, as well as four
working groups, which will
address the various areas of the
plan:
· Individual/Family/Community
Concerns
· Health Professional and Provider
Education
· Environment
· Data and Surveillance
MDH is coordinating this process
and has been notified by CDC that
partners will be expected to
assume greater responsibility for
various elements/activities in the
plan. Meetings are expected to
begin in late September.
The current five-year state asthma
plan may be viewed at
www.health.state.mn.us/asthma.
Breathing Space
Asthma in Minnesota Children:
Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, 2003
The National Survey of Children’s Health is a telephone survey of households
across the country asking parents about their children’s health. Approximately
2,000 households in Minnesota were included in this survey, which included
several questions on asthma. Some of the survey’s findings are listed below:
ƒ
8.3 percent of Minnesota children have ever been diagnosed with
asthma, compared to 12.5 percent of children nationwide
ƒ
43.8 percent of Minnesota children who have ever been diagnosed with
asthma had an asthma attack or episode in the past year, compared to
46.4 percent nationally
ƒ
5.7 percent of Minnesota children were affected by asthma-related
health issues in the past year; another 2.5 percent had a diagnois of
asthma but were not affected by asthma-related health issues in the past
year
ƒ
6.2 percent of Minnesota children currently have asthma, compared to
8.9 percent of children nationwide
ƒ
63.6 percent of households of children with asthma describe the health
difficulties caused by their child’s asthma as minor, 36.4 percent as
moderate or severe. See accompanying graph.
Level of health difficulties caused by asthma among
children/youth ages 0-17 with asthma, Minnesota, 2003
100
90
80
70
Percent
Strategic Planning
Process Resumes
*
60
50
63.6%
40
30
20
10
26.9%
9.5%
0
Minor difficulty
Moderate difficulty
Severe difficulty
*95% confidence interval indicates the range that contains the true estimate
95% of the time.
Source: Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (2005). National
Survey of Children’s Health, Data Resource Center on Child and Adolescent
Health website. Retrieved 08/14/06 from www.nschdata.org
September 2006
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Exciting Changes for the Minnesota Asthma Coalition
Penny Gottier Fena has assumed a new position as the Senior Vice President: Mission Services with the American Lung
Association of the Upper Midwest, to which the American Lung Association of Minnesota now belongs. In her new
position, she will bring her knowledge, insight, and commitment to asthma to the whole upper Midwest region.
Jill Heins Nesvold will now provide management oversight, staff supervision, strategic direction, and resource development for the Minnesota Asthma Coalition (MAC). Jill will work to ensure continuity and connections between the MAC,
Controlling Asthma in American Cities Project (CAACP), and the numerous other programs offered through ALA.
Erin Simmons, who has been the MAC statewide coordinator for the past 2 years, has taken a new position with the ALA
as the Program Manager for the Mankato Area Smoke Free Coalition. However, we are pleased that Erin will continue as
the MAC coordinator for the South Central Region. Thanks to Erin for her work in expanding and enhancing the work of
the MAC!
Amy Roggenbuck recently assumed the new role of Regional MAC Coordinator. She will oversee the daily operations of
the nine regional asthma coalitions. She enjoys building and strengthening coalitions and brings with her several years of
experience in this area. Amy has also been the Regional Coordinator for the Southwest Region for the past 2 ½ years and
finds it rewarding to work at the local level. Please contact Amy at if you have questions about activities in any of the nine
regions.
Neisha Reynolds is a new Manager at ALA. Her projects will include managing the MAC and coordinating the Metro
MAC activities, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability. In her commitments to ALA’s Respiratory Health Division,
she will also work to support the CAACP. As a new member of the Minnesota community, Neisha brings her experiences
in public health policy, philanthropy, and program management to her position.
Penny Gottier Fena
Jill Heins Nesvold
Erin Simmons
Amy Roggenbuck
Neisha Reynolds
651-227-8014
651-227-8014
507-381-8257
320-568-2471
651-227-8014
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please welcome these people in their new roles.
“Take Charge of Your Asthma”
Southwest Regional Asthma Coalition
(SWRAC)
The Southwest Regional Asthma Coalition had
another successful family event titled, ”Take
Charge of Your Asthma” at the YMCA in Willmar
at the end of April. Families attended the event to
learn more about asthma and how to effectively
control it. The Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company
provided dinner, pizza and pop. Dr. Ellingson and
Cam Anderson, FNP, demonstrated proper inhaler,
dry disk, spacer, and peak flow meter use. While
parents were listening to Dr. Ellingson’s presentation, the children were busy participating in fun
activities to learn more about their asthma. The
evening wrapped up with family swim time. A fun
time was had by all!
Breathing Space
World Asthma Day
Northeast Regional Asthma Coalition (NERAC)
In May 2006, Mayor Herb Bergson signed a Proclamation
for World Asthma Day in Duluth. The attendees included:
NERAC members, Catherine Miller, Jean Miller, and Lori
Saari, along with Mayor Herb Bergson and Jim Christiansen.
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September 2006
Upcoming Minnesota Asthma Coalition Events
Northeast Regional Asthma Coalition (NERAC)
Contact Lori Saari R.N. for more information at
[email protected] or 218-391-3942.
West Central Regional Asthma Coalition (WCRAC)
Super Asthma Saturday
September 30, 2006, 10 a.m. to Noon, Discovery Middle
School in Alexandria
Everyone is welcome! There will be speakers, break out
sessions, games and prizes!
Our Key Note Speaker will be Dr Mohamed Yassin. Dr
Yassin is a specialist in treatment of allergies and asthma in
adults and pediatrics.
Break out sessions will include proper inhaler technique,
peak flow and nebulizer use and inhaler assessments.
There will also be food, prizes and a number of venders
displaying their products and available to answer your
questions.
Asthma Interventions for Busy Pharmacists
March 15, 2007
South Central Regional Asthma Coalition (SCRAC)
Contact Erin Simmons for more information at
[email protected] or 507-381-8257.
South Central Asthma Coalition Memorial Walk
SERAC is having the South Central Asthma Coalition
Memorial Walk in memory of Beto Hinojosa in Glencoe.
The event will include a three-mile walk, inhaler assessments, asthma education, bake sale, and family games/
activities.
October 7, 2006, 9:30 a.m., Oak Leaf Park
Contact Doreen Hanson for more information and to
register at: 320-762-3043 or
[email protected]
Asthma Interventions for Busy Pharmacists
November 2, 2006, 6:30 p.m., Merit Care in Fargo
Presenter will be Wendy Brown, Pharm.D. AC-E, Assistant
Professor Pharmacy Practice at
NDSU.
Asthma Educator Certificate Course
The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest’s
Asthma Educator Certificate Course is a two-day
workshop for individuals wanting to improve their
ability to provide asthma education for patients and
families with asthma. Many course attendees go on to
take the certified asthma educator exam offered by the
National Asthma Education Certification Board
(NAECB) to become certified asthma educators.
Southwest Regional Asthma Coalition (SWRAC)
Contact Amy Roggenbuck for more information at 320568-2471 or [email protected].
SWRAC is currently gearing up for the scheduled fall
activities. On the schedule: participate in various area
health fairs, present the “Caring for Kids with Asthma”
curriculum to daycare providers, give short talks for athletic
coaches, and hand out information at preschool screenings.
Stay tuned to learn more about what the Southwest Regional Asthma Coalition is up to!
Date: October 25-26, 2006
Where: Grand Rios Hotel/Conference Center, Brooklyn
Park MN
Cost: $250.00
To register: http://www.alamn.org/mn/prof/
AsthmaEducators.asp
Central Minnesota Regional Asthma Coalition
(CMRAC)
Health Harvest Run/ Walk for Asthma
CMRAC has teamed up with Abbott Northwestern Sartell
Clinic to host the first “Health Harvest 5k/1k Run/ Walk for
Asthma.” All proceeds from the event will be used for
asthma education and professional education opportunities
in the Central Region.
September 23, 2006, Abbott Northwestern Campus, 2000
Abbott Northwester Court in Sartell
For more information visit www.abbottnorthwestern.com/
sartell, or contact Kathleen Milligan at 320-253-6011 or
[email protected] .
For more information contact Glory Barduson at 651227-8014 or [email protected].
ALA COPD Educator Course
This course is for advanced practice nurses, respiratory
therapists, internal medicine nurses, pulmonary nurses,
and case managers. The course will include practical
information healthcare providers can use in their work
with COPD patients. Specific attention will be given
to smoking cessation, spirometry, copd management,
medication guidelines, psychosocial issues, and oxygen
therapy.
Second Annual Central Region Lecture - Guest Speaker
Announced
Dr. Robert Lemanski, University of Wisconsin, Division of
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, will be the
guest speaker at the Second Annual Central Region Lecture
and dinner.
December 4, 2006, Radisson Inn and Suites, St. Cloud
For more information please contact Kathleen Milligan at
320-253-6011 or [email protected].
Breathing Space
Date:
October 12-13
Where: Sheraton Bloomington, Bloomington, MN
Cost:
$175.00
To register: www.ALAMN.org or 651-223-9565
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September 2006
Journal of School Health Special Asthma Issue
The Journal of School Health (JOSH) article, “Statewide Asthma Training for Minnesota School Personnel” was published
in August. You can view it by going to:
http://www.ashaweb.org/pdfs/keysser_josh766.pdf
Citation:
Statewide Asthma Training for Minnesota School Personnel
Janet Keysser, Patricia Splett, Susan Ross, Erica Fishman
Journal of Scool Health 2006 76:6 264
For those of you who attended this training, thank you again for your participation and your cooperation in making this
program successful. Another training was recently held in Northfield on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 with over 30
participants.
This issue also contains a article about the Healthy Learners Asthma Initiative in Minneapolis and St. Paul schools. That
article is at: www.ashaweb.org/pdfs/splett_josh766.pdf
ClearWay Minnesota
The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco (MPAAT) has changed its name to ClearWay Minnesota. ClearWay
Minnesota will remain focused on the organization’s vision of eliminating the harm caused by tobacco through stopsmoking services, research, and protecting Minnesotans from secondhand smoke. Additional information can be found at:
www.clearwaymn.org or 877-744-3029
Welcome Janis!
Janis Smith is the new Office & Administrative Specialist Senior for the MDH Asthma Program. She has been with MDH
for 10 years and previously worked in the Center for Health Promotion. Janis is replacing Sally Sabathier.
651-201-5909
[email protected]
BREATHING SPACE
For more information, or to request
this material in another format
contact: Janis Smith at 651-2015909 or
[email protected]
MN Relay Service TDD: 1-800627-3528
To receive this newsletter electronically, go to:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/
hpcd/cdee/asthma/Newsletter.html,
and click on Subscribe to Breathing
Space.
Editor
Subha Chandar, MPH
Production
Janis Smith
Commissioner of Health
Dianne Mandernach
Breathing
BreathingSpace
Space
September 20041
BREATHING SPACE, a quarterly respiratory disease newsletter, is produced by the
Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program. The purpose of this newsletter is
to provide health professionals, school nurses, and community members with current
research, information, and resources on respiratory disease.
This newsletter is supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement
#U59/CCU522470 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official views of the CDC.
Questions about lung health?
Call 1-800-548-8252
American Lung Association Call Center
MDH Asthma Staff Contact Information:
Asthma Program Telephone Number: 651-201-5909
Toll Free Number: 1-877-925-4189
Asthma Web Site: http://www.health.state.mn.us/asthma/
Wendy Brunner, 651-201-5895, email: [email protected]
Subha Chandar, 651-201-5896, email: [email protected]
Erica Fishman, 651-201-5899, email: [email protected]
Janet Keysser, 651-201-5691, email: [email protected]
Laura Oatman, 651-201-5914, email: [email protected]
Susan Ross, 651-201-5629, email: [email protected]
Janis Smith, 651-201-5909, email: [email protected]
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September 2006