Asthma Friendly Policies

AHIP and EPA began a three year cooperative agreement in October 2014. As part of this collaboration, the organizations will identify and disseminate promising health plan interventions that help prevent asthma episodes and promote asthma management among culturally diverse populations. This webinar, among others in the series, help in disseminating health plan efforts to incorporate environmental interventions into comprehensive asthma care programs. 

To watch the webinar visit: http://media.beaconlive.com/viewitem?bckt=104265

Governor Deal signed into law State Bill 126 (SB126) which authorizes schools  to stock levalbuterol/albuterol and provides immunity for trained staff to administer the lifesaving medication to a student believed in good faith be experiencing respiratory distress, regardless of whether the student has a prescription for albuterol/levalbuterol.  This authorization and protections under the law will enhance the ability of school nurses and properly trained personnel to implement comprehensive protocols for responding to asthma emergencies while protecting all students experiencing respiratory distress in school settings.    Announcement of the new law was covered by local CBS news affiliate featuring Jon Ramsey and Dr. Traci Bridges who authored the bill.

To view news clip click here: http://www.cbs46.com/story/28995737/statewide-medication-bill-crafted-by-south-georgians

Bill: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/SB/126 

More info:

Francesca Lopez, MSPH, AE-C, Program Manager

Georgia Asthma Control Program

Adolescent and School Health

Chronic Disease Prevention Section

Georgia Department of Public Health

2 Peachtree Street, NW

16th floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Phone: 404-651-7324

Fax: 770-357-9696

Mobile: 404-719-1448

Email: francesca.lopez@dph.ga.gov

Studies indicate that when those three evidence-based public health interventions are packaged and provided to children, they have the potential to yield a positive return on investment. Health Investments that Pay Off: Strategies for Addressing Asthma in Children examines the interventions, which have been found to reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations, improve asthma control, decrease the frequency of symptoms, decrease work and school absenteeism and improve quality of life.

“Asthma cannot presently be prevented or cured, but people who have asthma can live a symptom-free, fully active life with proper treatment and services, beginning at an early age,” said NGA Executive Director Dan Crippen. “To improve health outcomes among children and reduce medical expenses, governors can incorporate interventions into their overall agenda for state health care transformation.”

Governors can take the following actions to implement and finance asthma-based interventions:

·Use a broad range of qualified providers to support effective and efficient delivery of asthma services;

·Encourage collaboration and resource sharing across public and private programs and sectors;

·Use health insurers to improve clinical management and payment for services; and

·Build efficiency and sustainability for the interventions through evaluations.

 To learn more about the NGA Center for Best Practices Health Division, please visit www.nga.org/cms/center/health