Reference Guide

Asthma is a chronic disease that cannot be cured but can be controlled. A key strategy used to control asthma is to reduce or eliminate the asthma triggers that cause or exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. It is critical that all those who work with, live with, and are affected by asthma have a good understanding of asthma triggers and how they can be effectively reduced to achieve asthma control.

The purpose of this report is to identify the key environmental asthma triggers that are present in Montana. Herein, readers will find a description of characteristics of the state that influence environmental asthma triggers. This is followed by a description of common outdoor, indoor, and work-related asthma triggers, and a discussion of how relevant these triggers are to Montana. The final segment of the paper describes current knowledge gaps, summarizes key clinical messages, and suggests public policy implications of the report's findings.

Here in one location, you can find resources including clinical guidelines, patient education and self-management materials, policy briefs, asthma reports, clinical toolkits, mobile technology and asthma information, and smoking cessation and tobacco materials.

Many of the resources are available in both English and Spanish, and some in other languages, including Chinese. Also included are a variety of multimedia tools such as videos and interactive web sites. There are even links to asthma-related training courses where continuing education credits are available.

Each year, the Foundation's report, the “State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies 

for Schools,” outlines 18 school-related core policies proven to affect positive healthy school 

environments, then assesses each state on how many of these policies they have adopted.  

If a state has enacted at least 15 of the policies, it is listed on the Foundation’s “Honor Roll.”

While thousands of local schools and districts may show innovation and leadership in 

support of students and staff with asthma and allergies, strong state-wide policies are 

lacking throughout the U.S., with some rare bright spots. Visit www.StateHonorRoll.org today to

find out how your state compares!