Resources about Asthma
On this page:
Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Kids
It's hard to see a child sick. The good news is you can help a child gain control over asthma. That means fewer days out of school and fewer attacks that can be scary for you and the child.
Along with the doctor, you have an important role in helping a child control asthma. Our publications for parents, caregivers and kids provides information on how you can help your child gain control over asthma or make your home asthma-friendly as well as fun children's books to teach your child about asthma.
Join Other Parents and Caregivers in an Online Asthma Community
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Support Community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. Visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America webpage. Exit
Other Resources
- For more information on Woodsmoke and asthma, visit BurnWise.
- For more information on local outdoor air quality conditions and asthma, visit AIRNow.
Asthma Actions for Healthcare Professionals
As a healthcare professional, you want to improve the quality of life for your patients with asthma. Understanding environmental asthma triggers is an important first step. EPA promotes environmental management as a standard of care and clinical practice and provides a variety of resources that healthcare professionals and people with asthma can use to take action.
- Resources for Your Patients and Caregivers
- Encourage the Use of Asthma Action Plans
- Develop a Comprehensive Asthma Home Visit Program
- Learn More through Online Courses
Resources for Your Patients and Caregivers
As a healthcare professional, play this asthma video for your patients and caregivers or provide them with our free publications.
Breathing Freely: Controlling Asthma Triggers Video
Featuring conversations with medical professionals and parents of children with asthma, this video presents the role of the environment in triggering and worsening asthma attacks and offers ways to manage asthma to help children lead normal, healthy lives.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (July 2007 update)
Encourage the Use of Asthma Action Plans
A written asthma action plan encourages self-management of asthma. Plans include a list of the person's triggers and how to avoid them, instructions for taking asthma medicine, information on what to do during an asthma episode, instructions on when to call a doctor, and emergency telephone numbers. Action plans should be updated at least once a year.
Develop a Comprehensive Asthma Home Visit Program
Home-based multi-trigger, multi-component interventions with an environmental focus for children with asthma are proven to reduce exposure to multiple indoor asthma triggers (e.g., "The Community Guide: What works to promote health" Exit).
Use our free publications for healthcare providers to begin or improve a home visit program for your asthma patients.
These interventions involve home visits by trained personnel to conduct two or more activities, including:
- Assessment of the home environment.
- Changing the indoor home environment to reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
- Education about the home environment.
EPA provides resources and information for physicians and healthcare plan administrators to create home visit programs. Home visit programs are proven to be effective to improve overall quality of life and productivity, improving asthma symptoms and reducing the number of school days missed due to asthma.
Learn More through Online Courses
The following courses provide physician education to improve and expand the delivery of comprehensive asthma management programs and education to patients.
Ozone and Your Patients' Health
Created by EPA, this short, evidence-based training course is designed for medical professionals who counsel patients about asthma and respiratory symptoms including:
- Family practice doctors
- Pediatricians
- nurse practitioners
- Asthma educators
Visit the Ozone and Your Patients' Health webpage.
Particle Pollution and Your Patients' Health
Created by EPA and CDC, this course discusses the extensive body of scientific evidence showing that exposure to particle pollution may lead to a range of adverse health effects, including effects on the heart, lungs and cardiovascular system, as well as premature death. It also provides educational materials to help patients understand how particle pollution can affect their health and how to use the Air Quality Index to reduce risk.
CDC provides free continuing education credit for the course for doctors, nurses and health educators. Visit the Particle Pollution and Your Patients' Health webpage.
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine Environmental Triggers of Asthma
This course is to designed to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to promote the adoption of medical practices that aid in the evaluation and care of potentially exposed patients. The case studies provided in this tutorial focus on environmental triggers of asthma. Created by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Exit
Asthma Community Network Webinars
Asthma webinars present the latest knowledge and information from leading experts and asthma management program champions from across the country. Offered at no cost, webinars are an opportunity to discover state of the art tools and resources and learn effective strategies in asthma program design and delivery. Visit the Asthma Community Network Webinars webpage. Exit