With asthma rates escalating among children under the age of five, and nearly 13 million pre-schoolers in some type of day care setting, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America (AAFA) is targeting daycare providers and parents with an asthma action plan this month.
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness month and the public awareness campaign's focus is to encourage daycare providers to get educated on how to handle children with asthma.
The foundation is asking parents to complete an asthma and allergy action plan with the assistance of the their child's doctor.
The plan will be distributed to thousands of childcare providers nationwide. The plan highlights:
- the child's medications and instructions on when to use them;
- tips on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an asthma or allergy episode; and
- steps to handle an emergency.
The campaign is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Child Care Bureau and the National Child Care
Association.
Asthma, which is the most common chronic illness among children, affects 7 to 10% of all school-age children, according to AAFA.
With proper diagnosis, good treatment and preventive measures to reduce exposure to environmental triggers, asthma complications can be controlled.
(AAFA, Colleen Horn, 202/466-7643, ext. 225, http://www.aafa.org/getajump)