Adolescent With Asthma

Join GHHI and our partners for the 2021 Asthma Convening!

A half-day event March 31 from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET, the 2021 Asthma Convening
will explore best practices and emerging issues in comprehensive asthma
programming as well as policy considerations for 2021 and beyond. This virtual
event is an opportunity to learn more about GHHI's National Initiative for
Asthma Reimbursement, network with asthma healthy homes programs operating
across the country, and explore opportunities to take your program to the
next level.

[GHHI 2021 Asthma Convening image]

AGENDA (all times Eastern)

11:30a-12:00pm Executive Welcome + Impact Update
12:00-1:00pm Lessons from the Field
1:00-1:15pm BREAK
1:15-2:15pm Strategies for pursuing healthcare funding
of home-based asthma services 2:15-2:30pm BREAK
2:30-3:15pm Advancing Asthma Healthy Housing Initiatives
in 2021 + Beyond 3:15-3:30pm Closing Remarks

For more information and to register for the 2021 Asthma Convening, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/GHHIAsthma21

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) created a central resource [termed the School-based Asthma, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Management Program (SA³MPRO^TM)], in collaboration with others to assist students with asthma and allergies and their families practice consistent management of their conditions at school. In April 2019, with Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the AAAAI and others initiated the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468) as bipartisan legislation to support the SA³MPRO^TM program. The legislation was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 29 and U.S. Senate on December 17, 2020.

H.R. 2468 amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the conditions under which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in making asthma-related grants, gives preference to a state. The measure will give preference to states that require elementary and secondary schools to have at least one individual, such as a school nurse or other school staff, to direct and apply a comprehensive school-based allergies and asthma management program on a voluntary basis. The program will include a method to identify students with allergies and asthma, have on file an action plan for each individual student, and develop a support system for each such student coordinating school staff, family members and health care providers. The two most important strategies for preparing schools in the event of an asthma incident are implementing individual action plans and preparing school staff to assist children experiencing an attack.

Its passage by the 116th Congress reflects ongoing AAAAI advocacy efforts, and those of its patient advocacy organizations, including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Allergy and Asthma Network, along with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

For more information, visit www.aaaai.org/SAMPRO.

Improving the air quality inside and outside of school buildings can improve students’ health and readiness to learn. The Massachusetts Asthma Action Partnership (MAAP), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Asthma Prevention and Control Program (APCP), and Health Resources in Action, have developed a new resource, Clearing the Air: An Asthma Toolkit for Healthy Schools to help schools create an asthma-friendly learning and working environment. This toolkit contains sample policy language, best practices, and curated resources and tools. Nine policy and practice areas have been identified as target areas to help improve air quality:

• School-wide environmental health and safety management
• Green cleaning and environmental purchasing programs
• Integrated pest management
• Leaks and moisture
• Clutter
• Outdoor air pollution
• Fragrance
• Tobacco
• Clinical asthma management in the school setting