Day Care

The American Lung Association Asthma Basics teaches how to identify the characteristics of asthma, learn how to recognize and manage triggers, understand the value of an asthma action plan, and recognize and respond accordingly to a breathing emergency. The module includes six how-to videos that teach the proper usage of asthma medications and devices.

This FREE online learning opportunity is targeted to adults with asthma, caregivers, asthma professionals, and anyone that would like to learn more about asthma management.

To register for the online module, contact onlinelearning@lung.org.

In California, child care facilities must comply with California Child Care Licensing (CCL) regulations for sanitizing and disinfecting in order to maintain infection control. Bleach, a cost-effective multipurpose product, is widely used to meet CCL requirements. However, bleach is known to exacerbate asthma, and according to the State's Work-Related Asthma Program, exposure to bleach has been associated with new asthma cases. Therefore, starting in 2008, the San Francisco Asthma Task Force conducted a grant-funded* pilot project to identify methods for infection control practices that eliminate or reduce child care operator exposure to bleach. 

Based on the findings of the project, the Task Force has established recommendations for bleach-free sanitizers and disinfectants that are safer for asthma; and recommendations regarding safer practices for using bleach. The goal of these recommendations and suggestions--which include specific training needs for management, staff and parents--is to encourage the sustainability of best practices while protecting the health of child care workers and the children served. 

*Funding was provided by San Francisco Foundation, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention, a private donor, and the San Francisco Public Health Foundation.

Pilot Project-Asthma Trigger Poster to use at Head Start and Childcare Centers to help the children identify environmental asthma triggers. Works with the coloring book.