General Asthma Population

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 

Introducing the Wisconsin Asthma Plan, 2015-2020, a blueprint for addressing asthma in Wisconsin for the next five years. This plan represents the best efforts of Wisconsin Asthma Coalition's (WAC) leadership and members to develop a strategic plan to reduce the burden of asthma as a public health problem in Wisconsin.

The WAC has made great strides in improving asthma management since the release of the Wisconsin Asthma Plan 2003, but the burden of disease and its disproportionate impact remains a priority. The intent of the Wisconsin Asthma Plan, 2015-2020 is to focus activities on disparately impacted populations in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Asthma Plan 2015-2020 is divided into four priority areas that are in direct alignment with the four components of care outlined in the NIH asthma guidelines. The four priority areas include:

• Routine health care
• Pharmaceutical care
• Education
• Environment