BREATHING SPACE
Respiratory Disease Newsletter
Minnesota Department of Health
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division
Chronic Disease & Environmental Epidemiology Section
Volume 6, Number 4
What’s Inside?
• Asthma information can now be
accessed online in American Sign
Language
• Wheezing with Colds Raises Risk of
Asthma
• Association Between Obesity and
Asthma
• New Grant from US EPA: Online
Training to Reduce Environmental
Triggers of Asthma
• FDA Safety Information
• Coming soon: Asthma in Minnesota
2008 asthma epidemiology report
• Minnesota Asthma Coalition
Get Protected During the
2008-2009 Flu Season!
December 2008
TOBACCO USE, SECONDHAND SMOKE, AND ASTHMA: Results
from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey
Tobacco smoke contributes to the
long-term development of asthma
and triggers asthma attacks. The
Surgeon General has concluded
that secondhand smoke causes the
onset of wheeze illness in early
childhood and is a causal factor in
the development of asthma among
school-age children. Secondhand
smoke exposure also increases the
severity of asthma symptoms in
those who have the illness.1
Furthermore, the Surgeon General
also concluded that smoking by a
child or adolescent causes asthmarelated symptoms such as
wheezing, and that smoking
worsens the prognosis of asthma
in children.2
Because of this documented
relationship between tobacco use
and asthma, the Department of
Health added several questions on
asthma to the 2008 youth tobacco
survey, which was renamed the
Minnesota Youth Tobacco and
Asthma Survey.
It’s not too late to get your flu shot
for the 2008-2009 flu season.
Tobacco Use and Current
Asthma
CDC recently released a new podcast,
At the high school level, tobacco
use is associated with current
asthma. Nearly one-fourth of
students with current asthma
(23.4%) smoked cigarettes in the
past 30 days, compared to 15.5%
of students who do not have
current asthma. Students with
current asthma are also
Your Child with Asthma Needs a Flu
Shot!
You can listen to this podcast and
download the transcript at
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/play
er.asp?f=10570.
significantly more likely to report
overall tobacco use in the past 30
days, and are slightly more likely to
use cigars and smokeless tobacco.
(See Figure 1-page 2).
At the middle school level, tobacco
use is low, and there are no clear
differences between students with
and without current asthma.
Home Environment,
Secondhand Smoke, and
Current Asthma
Current asthma is more common
among students who live with
someone who smokes. In high
school, 44.7% of students with
current asthma live with another
person who smokes, compared to
37.2% of students who do not have
current asthma. This difference is
large enough to be statistically
significant.
Exposure to secondhand smoke is
associated with greater risk of
current asthma among middle school
students. Nearly half of students
with current asthma (48.6%)
reported being exposed to
secondhand smoke in the past 7
days, while 38.3% of students with
no asthma were exposed to
secondhand smoke. This difference
is statistically significant. Among
high school students there is little
association between current asthma
and any recent secondhand smoke
exposure.
TOBACCO USE, SECONDHAND SMOKE, AND ASTHMA:
Results from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey (cont.)
Summary
Smoking in the past 30 days and living with
someone who smokes are associated with current
asthma among high school students, while any
secondhand smoke exposure is associated with
current asthma among middle school students.
These findings attest to the link between tobacco
smoke and asthma, but it is remarkable that this
survey would find any association at all. For
children who have been diagnosed with asthma
and are experiencing asthma-like symptoms, doctors
commonly recommend that tobacco smoke and other
asthma triggers be removed from the child’s
environment. Yet, students with asthma still appear to
be frequently exposed to tobacco smoke. Further
education for parents, students and the entire
community is needed to re-emphasize the importance
of banishing tobacco smoke from the air that young
people with asthma breathe.
1
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke:
A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; 2006.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A report of the Surgeon General.
Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on
Smoking and Health, 2004
2
Figure 1. Tobacco use and current asthma status, Minnesota high school students, 2008 (Source:
2008 Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey)
Current asthma
No asthma
15.5
smoked cigarettes in
past 30 days
23.4
10.5
smoked cigars or little
cigars in past 30 days
13.0
7.1
used smokeless
tobacco in past 30 days
10.1
22.4
used any tobacco
product in past 30 days
30.4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Percent
Figure 2. Living with a smoker, secondhand smoke exposure and current asthma status, Minnesota middle
school students, 2008 (Source: 2008 Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey)
Current asthma
No asthma
31.6
lives with someone who
smokes
36.7
any exposure to
secondhand smoke in
past 7 days
38.3
48.6
repeated exposure to
secondhand smoke in
past 7 days
21.2
23.6
0
10
20
30
Percent
40
50
60
2
TOBACCO USE, SECONDHAND SMOKE, AND ASTHMA:
Results from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey (cont.)
Figure 3. Living with a smoker, secondhand smoke exposure and current asthma status, Minnesota high
school students, 2008 (Source: 2008 Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey)
Current asthma
To read the full report, see 'Teens and
Tobacco in Minnesota, the View from
2008: Results from the Minnesota Youth
Tobacco and Asthma Survey' available
at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/
tobacco/.
No asthma
31.1
lives with someone who
smokes
35.0
any exposure to
secondhand smoke in
past 7 days
54.6
55.7
repeated exposure to
secondhand smoke in
past 7 days
37.2
44.7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Percent
Coming soon!
On November 19, 2008, World COPD Day, the
American Lung Association of Minnesota released a
comprehensive report entitled, “Minnesota and
COPD: Leading the Way for the Nation.” Copies are
available by contacting [email protected].
Asthma in Minnesota 2008 Epidemiology Report,
available December 2008
Public Health Foundation Meeting in Madison
The Public Health Foundation (PHF) invited 10 Minnesotans to participate in a meeting, “Asthma in America:
We Can Do Better” in Madison, WI, on December 2 and 3, 2008. They joined asthma colleagues from
Wisconsin and Michigan in discussing strategies that have worked to control asthma and factors that have
contributed to success. The PHF is holding two other regional meetings, one in the South and one in the
West, and will then produce a report for distribution to federal, state, and local public health policymakers.
Those attending from Minnesota included the six pictured above – from Left: Dr. Don Uden, U of MN College of Pharmacy
(speaking with PHF staff); Mary Heiman, Minneapolis Public Schools; Kristi Van Riper, American Lung Association; Kay Kufahl,
Pediatric Home Service; Julie Kilpatrick, Washington County Public Health and Environment; and Erica Fishman, MDH. Also
attending were Dr. Allyson Brotherson from the Minneapolis Family Medical Center, and Susan Ross and Janet Keysser from
MDH.
3
Asthma information can
now be accessed online in
American Sign Language
DeafMD, is an innovative
website providing accurate,
concise, and valuable health
information in American Sign
Language to the Deaf & Hard of
Hearing population. The
website includes a video of
someone providing the
information in American Sign
Language as well as a written
script. To access information
on asthma visit
http://www.deafmd.org/pub/top
ic/Asthma/What-is-it. This
website was developed with
assistance from the Centers for
Disease Control and the
National Institutes of Health,
and DeafMD’s team of
healthcare providers, linguists,
and educators who translated
this complex information into
ASL.
Wheezing With Colds Raises Risk of Asthma
Rhinovirus-Related Wheeze Big Risk Factor in Kids
Study shows infants and toddlers who wheeze when they are sick with
colds have a bigger risk of developing asthma later in childhood.
For more information go to:
http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20080930/wheezing-colds-raisesrisk-asthma.
Association Between Obesity and Asthma
Interactions between Systematic and Airway Inflamation.
Vol. 178. pp469-475, 2008
“Epidemiologic and clinical evidence suggests an important link between
obesity and asthma. The fact that both are “inflammatory” diseases raises
the possibility of patho-physiologic interaction”. To read the full article go to:
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/reprint/178/5/469.
Faces of Influenza
Beginning in January 2009, ALAMN
will launch its annual Faces of
Influenza campaign. Various public
awareness materials are available
at no cost. Contact Heather
Steffens at
[email protected]
or visit
http://www.facesofinfluenza.org.
On Saturday, January 31, 2009,
the American Lung Association
of Minnesota presents Race UP
the Place, a stair climb
MDH Influenza Information
fundraising event. Participants
will climb their way up the 30
Influenza information can be found
stories in 10-second intervals, to
on the MDH website at:
arrive at the top.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs
/idepc/diseases/flu/index.html
To register for this event go to:
http://www.raceuptheplace.com
Wanted: Asthma Camp SuperKids
Volunteers!
Join an interdisciplinary asthma team
at the American Lung Association of
MN’s Camp SuperKids, a premier
camp for children with persistent
asthma, held July 12-17, 2009! Full
and part-time positions are available
and CEUs are included. Please contact
Heather Steffens, RCP, AE-C, at
[email protected] or
Stephanie Kimmes, CPNP, AE-C, at
[email protected] for
more information.
4
New Grant from US EPA: Reducing Environmental
Triggers of Asthma: An Online Environmental
Education Program for In-Home Health Care Providers
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received
a 2-year grant ($40,000 each year) to develop an
online training program for public health nurses
(PHN) and certified asthma educators (AE-C). The
grant period is October 1, 2008, to September 30,
2010.
The online program will train PHNs and AE-Cs to
conduct in-home assessments for asthma triggers as
well as providing them with information and referral
resources on addressing environmental tobacco
smoke (ETS). They will be trained to educate
families about how to make or keep homes “asthma
friendly.” The MDH Asthma Program has previously
produced a successful online asthma education
project focusing on coaches, referees, and physical
education teachers, as well as its demonstrated
success in improving health
outcomes for children with
asthma through its previously
funded EPA grant called
Reducing Environmental
Triggers of Asthma (RETA).
This grant will survey Minnesota’s PHNs and AE-Cs to
determine what they already know about conducting
home environmental assessments, develop a script
and other program content, and create pre- and
post-test questions to determine the knowledge gain
from completing the program. Topics to be covered
include common environmental triggers such as dust
mites, warm-blooded pets, pests, mold, secondhand
smoke (SHS), household products and the Air Quality
Index. The program will address successful methods
to reduce environmental triggers such as cleaning
and vacuuming (frequency and proper technique),
Integrated Pest Management, eliminating water
leaks and cleaning mold, electronic notification of air
quality alerts, and other techniques to reduce
allergens especially in the
child’s bedroom. Because
almost half of the children in
RETA were regularly exposed
to SHS, an emphasis will be placed on SHS as an
asthma trigger and making the home smoke-free,
including providing resources for smoking cessation.
The major output of this project will be a costeffective, online education program that will be
accessible to anyone with a computer that has high
speed access. The program, housed on the MDH
server, will enable MDH to track the number of users
of the program. Those who complete the program
will be given the opportunity to provide their address
information and receive a completion certificate and
EPA materials regarding environmental management
of asthma, with special emphasis on SHS and how it
impacts children. A follow-up survey of participants
will determine how many households are visited.
Outcomes from this project will continue long past
the two-year project term. The resulting online
training is sustainable, and it has the potential to
improve and positively impact households of people
with asthma indefinitely. The program is also easily
usable by other states and organizations outside
Minnesota. It complements current CDC-funded
asthma activities, and it will incorporate lessons
learned from current Communities Reducing
Environmental Triggers of Asthma (CRETA) Project.
CRETA is funding the City of Bloomington public
health agency (a Minneapolis suburb), McLeod
County public health agency (a rural county) and
Bois Forte Indian Reservation to implement local
home intervention projects.
While the substance of the Coach’s Asthma Clipboard
Program – found at www.WinningWithAsthma.org
differs from this EPA-funded project, the technology
used will be similar. The Coach’s Asthma Clipboard
Program involves online training, with pre-and posttests and approximately 25 minutes of information in
between the tests. Similar technology will be
employed in this project with the focus on what
public health nurses, respiratory therapists, and
certified asthma educators need to know in
conducting home environmental assessments.
5
Approved Safety Labeling Changes By FDA
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
(CDER)-September 2008
The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event
Reporting Program posted 36 drug products with
safety labeling changes in September 2008.
Included in this list were Proair HFA (albuterol
sulfate) Inhalation Aerosal and EpiPen (epinephrine
Auto-Injector 0.3 mg & EpiPen JR (epinephrine)
Auto-Injector 0.15 mg. Safety labeling changes
were made to the following sections: Boxed
Warning, Contradictions, Warnings, Precautions,
Adverse Reactions, Patient Package Inserts, and
Medication Guides. The links to the summary
pages for both of these drugs is provided below.
EpiPen (epinephrine) Auto-Injector 0.3 mg and
EpiPen JR (epinephrine) Auto-Injector 0.15 mg. For
prescribing information go to:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/Sep_PI
/EpiPen_PI.pdf
Proair HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol for
prescribing go to:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/Sep_PI
/Proair%20HFA_PI.pdf
The following has been taken directly from the
summary of current and revised safety labeling for
Epinephrine.
“Since epinephrine is a strong vasoconstrictor,
accidental injection into the digits, hands, or feet
may result in loss of blood flow to the affected
area. Treatment should be directed at vasodilation
in addition to further treatment of anaphylaxis.
Advise the patient to go immediately to the nearest
emergency room to inform the healthcare provider
in the emergency room of the location of the
accidental injection.”
“Epinephrine is the preferred treatment for serious
allergic reactions or other emergency situations
even thought his product contains sodium
metabisulfite, a sulfite that may, in other products,
cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic
symptoms or life-threatening or less severe
asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible persons.
The alternatives to using epinephrine in a lifethreatening situation may not be satisfactory. The
presence of a sulfite in this product should not
deter administration of the drug for treatment of
serious allergic or other emergency situations even
if the patient is sulfite-sensitive.”
“Epinephrine should be administered with caution
in patients who have heart disease, including
patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery
or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In such
patients, or in patients who are on drugs that may
sensitize the heart of arrhythmias, e.g., digitalis,
diuretics, or anti-arrhythmics, epinephrine may
precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris as well as
produce ventricular arrhythmias. It should be
recognized that the presence of these conditions is
not a contraindication to epinephrine administration
in an acute, life-threatening situation.”
Early Communication about an Ongoing
Safety Review of Tiotropium
(marketed as Spiriva HandiHaler)
FDA’s update October 7, 2008, regarding an
Ongoing Safety Review issued on March 18, 2008,
stated that Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of
Spiriva HandiHaler (tiotropium bromide), had
conducted a pooled analysis of 29 trials that
suggested a small excess risk of stroke (2 cases per
1000) with tiotropium bromide over placebo. FDA
has now received preliminary data from UPLIFT
(Understanding the Potential Long-Term Impacts
on Function with Tiotropium), a large, 4-year,
placebo controlled clinical trial with Spiriva
HandiHaler in approximately 6000 patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The preliminary results of UPLIFT reported by
Boehringer Ingelheim to the FDA showed that there
was no increased risk of stroke with tiotropium
bromide (Spiriva HandiHaler) compared to
placebo. For more information go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/tiotropi
um.htm.
6
Metro Regional Asthma
Coalition (Metro MAC)
The Metro MAC has enjoyed the addition of 20
new members to its coalition this quarter! We
welcome the new members from all over the Twin
Cities metro! We are energized for 2009 with these
new nurses, respiratory care practitioners, child
care providers, parents of children with asthma,
and asthma-related businesses!
In an effort to involve more Respiratory Care
Practitioners (RCPs) in the coalition’s efforts, the
Metro MAC provided a display board at North
Memorial’s Respiratory Fall Symposium November
21, 2008, in Robbinsdale. We reached about 50
RCPs and RCP students. Sommer Rian, RCP of the
Metro MAC made this event happen. Thank you,
Sommer!
The Metro MAC coordinator recently attended the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indoor Air
Quality Tools for Schools Symposium in
Washington, D.C. from December 2-6, 2008. She
received training on how to tailor the National
Association of School Nurses “Managing Asthma
Triggers” program for various audiences in the
schools. If you are interested in learning more
about the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for
Schools kit, please call 612-986-5699.
The Metro MAC has been very involved in Partners
for Asthma Action (formerly Controlling Asthma in
American Cities Project). Members from both
coalitions work together on the Community
Education & Outreach, School, and Health System
Delivery workgroups.
Upcoming Events:
January 6, 2009: “Managing Your Child’s Asthma”
presentation in Hmong to Hennepin County
Library Community Ambassadors in Minneapolis
from 6-6:45 p.m.
January 13, 2009: “Managing Your Child’s
Asthma” presentation in Spanish to Hennepin
County Library Community Ambassadors in
Minneapolis from 6-6:45 p.m.
January 17, 2009: Childcare provider in-service at
Atrebla Early Learning Center Minneapolis
January 20, 2009: “Asthma 101: What You Need
to Know” presentation to KidStop program’s
school-aged child care providers in Maple Grove at
9:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.; “Managing Your Child’s
Asthma” presentation in Somali to Hennepin
County Library Community Ambassadors in
Minneapolis from 6-6:45 p.m.
January 21, 2009: “Managing Your Child’s
Asthma” presentation through Columbia Heights
Community Education in Columbia Heights from
6:30 – 8 p.m.
January 29, 2009: “Managing Your Child’s
Asthma” presentation for parents in the Jeremiah
Program in Minneapolis.
January 31, 2009: The Metro MAC and the
ALAMN will be joining efforts at the Race Up the
Place, a stair climb fundraising event at Accenture
Tower in downtown Minneapolis. Please join our
Metro Asthma Coalition Climbers, get some
exercise, and promote lung health! Visit
http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/team.jsp?id=216
3&tid=599
7
February 26, 2009: Childcare provider in-service
with Resources for Child Caring in Minneapolis
Upcoming Events:
If you would like to learn more about the Metro
MAC or upcoming events, please e-mail Stephanie
at [email protected].
December 10, 2008: Quarterly West Central
Region Asthma Coalition Meeting at the Lake
Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.
Southwest Regional
Asthma Coalition
(SWRAC)
Upcoming Events:
January 20, 2009: Coalition meeting.
The coordinator position is currently vacant. If
you are interested in this position or have any
questions regarding any future SWRAC events,
please contact Kristi VanRiper from the American
Lung Association of MN at 651-268-7601 or
[email protected].
West Central Regional
Asthma Coalition (WCRAC)
On September 24, 2008, we held our quarterly
West Central Region Asthma Coalition meeting at
the Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.
On October 9, 2008, the coalition had a booth at
the Clay-Wilkin Head Start Fall Festival. During
the Fall Festival, Head Start families came to learn
and participate in different activities. Families
were able to spin a wheel and answer questions
about asthma, secondhand smoke, and smokefree homes.
On November 7, 2008, Connie Graff, RT and
member of the West Central Asthma Coalition,
went into the Fergus Falls High School, Middle
School and Elementary Schools to do inhaler
assessments. She was able to reach 83 kids with
asthma and observed and assessed students on
their inhaler technique.
On November 18, 2008, Ruth Tollifson, Certified
Asthma Educator and member of the West Central
Asthma Coalition, did a presentation on Asthma to
the 7th District Nurses Association.
January 17, 2009: The West Central Asthma
Coalition will have a booth at a health fair in
Perham MN. The health fair is being held from 92 pm at the community center.
If you are interested in future events in the West
Central Region or are interested in joining the
coalition, please contact Keely Hyland at 218-2997180 or [email protected].
Northeast Regional Asthma
Coalition (NERAC)
NERAC thanks our partners at Duluth Clinic West for hosting the Asthma Outreach Program
in September. Over 40 people attended this
American Lung Association of Minnesota
(ALAMN) program, including physicians,
advanced practice nurses, physician assistants
and ancillary care providers. Thank you to our
coalition member, and longtime ALAMN
volunteer, Dr. Sarah Manney, for presenting the
well received program.
Throughout the quarter, NERAC had materials at
six different health fairs with exposure to over
1,400 people. One of those fairs included the
Senior Expo at the Duluth Entertainment and
Convention Center. Many of the participants
who stopped at the booth noted they or
someone they knew had asthma. They took
materials and spoke with staff who were hosting
the booth.
In November, NERAC had the opportunity to visit
Crosby, Minnesota, to bring the American Lung
Association of Minnesota's program, Asthma 101
to their school personnel. School nurses,
coaches, teachers, and others attended the class
on this snowy afternoon and the response was
overwhelmingly positive. Thank you, Stephanie
Kubas for hosting and requesting this training.
8
Upcoming Events:
January 20, 2009: NERAC Quarterly Meeting, St.
Mary’s Medical Center, Regional Heart Center
Conference Room and also by phone, 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
January 22, 2009: Asthma 101 for childcare
providers at Benedictine Developmental Preschool,
Duluth, MN
February 5, 2009: Asthma 101 for childcare
providers at Steps of Faith Day Care in Silver Bay,
MN
February 25, 2009: Health Fair at Lake Superior
College, Duluth, MN 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
February 28, 2009: Winter Carnival at Chester
Bowl, Duluth, MN
For more information contact Alicia Bauman at
320-309-7359 or
[email protected].
Northwest Regional
Asthma Coalition
(NWRAC)
On, September 9, 2008, asthma information
and materials for families was shared at the
River Arts Community Fair in Moorhead.
On October 9, 2008, the coalition reached out
to Head Start Families at the Head Start Fall
Festival in Clay and Wilkin Counties.
On October 28, 2008, asthma education was
provided at the Head Start State Wide
Parents Conference in, Moorhead. Families
from all over Minnesota were reached.
For more information on asthma events in
Northeastern Minnesota, please call Jan Salo Korby
218-726-4721 or email [email protected].
Central Minnesota Regional
Asthma Coalition (CMRAC)
It has been a busy fall for the Central Minnesota
Regional Asthma Coalition. New coordinator Alicia
Bauman has enjoyed meeting existing CMRAC
members and is actively recruiting new members
to join the group. Please join us at our upcoming
meeting below.
Over 200 Central Minnesotans walkers / runners
participated in the Abbott Northwestern 5k/1k
walk/run for Asthma. CMRAC engaged in
educating participants and spectators about the
work of the coalition. This event raised over
$2000 to benefit the work of CMRAC and will
assist us greatly in moving our goals forward. We
would like to thank our host Abbott Northwestern
and all walkers / runners.
Upcoming Events:
January 14, 2009: Central Regional Asthma
Coalition Meeting, 3:00-4:30 p.m. at Caribou
Coffee (In front of Crossroads Mall).
The Northwest Minnesota Asthma Coalition
(MAC) held an enthusiastic reorganization meeting on
November 6 in Moorhead. Members participated in a
needs assessment and discussed ideas for future
education projects. Members include (from left in
picture) Leslie Witte, NW MAC Coordinator; Randi
Kouba, Merck; Colleen Falk, Bemidji; Vickie Haberman,
Park Rapids (Fargo); Rolinda Mix, Fargo; and Gina
Nolte, Fargo.
Upcoming Events:
February 10, 2009: Northwest Minnesota
Asthma Coalition meeting is scheduled in
Bemidji starting at 3:00 p.m.
For more information contact Leslie Witte at
218-299-7178 or [email protected]
9
Southeast Regional
Asthma Coalition (SERAC)
The Southeast Regional Asthma Coalition has
continued to collaborate with Steps to a Healthier
Rochester to support children and adults with
asthma and their families. They are currently
working in collaboration with schools and medical
providers to establish policies for every child with
asthma to have an Asthma Action Plan at school.
Asthma Action Plans help to identify a student's
individual asthma triggers and treatments.
Following an Asthma Action Plan is an important
step to managing asthma as a chronic condition
and preventing asthma episodes that require
emergency care. They also continue to promote
the Coach’s Clipboard Program: Winning with
Asthma on their website. Information on these
projects can be found at:
http://www.stepstoahealthiermn.org/rochester.cfm
?gcAreaType=Schools
A new asthma coordinator for the Southeast
region will be starting soon. If you would like
additional information about the coalition, please
contact Erica Fishman at 651-201-5899 or
[email protected].
South Central Regional
Asthma Coalition
(SCRAC)
During September, October, and November the
South Central MAC became staffed for the first
time in nearly two years. Along with staffing, new
members have been recruited including co-chairs
Dr Bob Zajac of Glencoe Regional Health Services
and Kerry Ward of McLeod County Public Health.
A draft work plan was created.
Upcoming Events:
Training dates have been set for three Asthma 101
for Childcare Providers:
January 13, 2009, 6:30-8:00 pm in Mankato
January 27, 2009, 7-9 pm in Glencoe
March 31, 2009, 6:30-8:00 pm in Mankato
For more information on the South Central
Asthma Coalition or upcoming events please
contact Erin at 507-381-8257 or
[email protected].
MDH News Release Dec 12, 2008
Minnesota’s first cultureconfirmed influenza case matches
vaccine
Minnesota has recorded its first cultureconfirmed case of influenza for the 200809 season in a 39-year-old man from
Chisago County. The man's illness was
caused by the A (H1) strain of the virus,
the Minnesota Department of Health
reported today. The man's virus is a good
match for this year's vaccine, health
officials said. The specimen was
submitted by Fairview Lakes Medical
Center.
While there have been reports of
influenza cases around the state already
this year, this announcement marks the
official start of flu season in Minnesota.
It's also a reminder that it's time to seek
influenza vaccination, if you haven't
already.
"Identifying influenza in the laboratory
helps us know which strains are
circulating and tells us how well this
year's vaccine will protect people from
influenza and its complications," said
Kristen Ehresmann, section chief for
immunizations at MDH. "Those who are
vaccinated against influenza in December
and even into January should be fully
protected when the season peaks."
To read the full news release, go to:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pres
srel/flu121208.html
To find the influenza vaccination clinic
nearest you, go to www.mdhflu.com and
click on "Find a flu shot clinic."
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Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Division
Chronic Disease and Environmental Epidemiology
85 East 7th Place
PO Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
PLEASE NOTE: All MDH staff e-mail addresses have changed and no longer contain the work “health”.
BREATHING SPACE
For more information, or to
request this material in another
format call the Minnesota Asthma
Program at:
651-201-5909
MN Relay Service TDD
1-800-627-3528
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
Andrea Baeder, MPH
Production
Janis Smith, OAS, Sr.
Commissioner of Health
Sanne Magnan, MD, PhD
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/.
Andrea Baeder, 651-201-5896, email: [email protected]
Wendy Brunner, 651-201-5895, 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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