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Asthma Control Program

Promote

Promote data and resource sharing, communication, and evaluation of comprehensive asthma control services.

• Work with key stakeholders to enhance statewide asthma surveillance systems and expand comprehensive asthma control services.
• Share newest asthma data through presentations, publications, face-to-face community engagement, the internet and other media platforms.
• Evaluate program and partner activities for continuous improvement.

Develop

Develop and strengthen Health Services Strategies to improve access to comprehensive asthma control services.

• Provide asthma self-management education services to children and their families at clinics.
• Engage Spanish-speaking parents of children with asthma to learn about their barriers in accessing asthma care.
• Work with the New Mexico Council on Asthma (NMCOA) to inform stakeholders about guidelines-based care and evidence-based policies for schools.

Support

Support Health Systems Strategies statewide to improve asthma care and coverage of comprehensive asthma services.

• Partner with university programs to develop evidence-based quality improvement interventions to help guide and support health care providers and staff at their health care practices.
• Partner with non-profits and state programs in developing effective, culturally responsive training programs for CHWs as they work with asthma patients in their homes.
• Partner with School-Based Health Center (SBHC) managers to develop a school-based asthma care model centered on the National Asthma Guidelines’ best practices to be used at SBHCs to improve care coordination for children with asthma.
• Partner with health care systems and service providers to improve coordination of care and provide payer coverage for comprehensive asthma control services.

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Resources for Individuals and Families with Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is:

• A chronic disease that causes swelling in the airways in the lungs.

• The airways carry air in and out of the lungs.

• When people have asthma, their airways are inflamed and sensitive, which causes them to swell and become clogged with mucus.

• When the airways are inflamed, the muscles that are wrapped around them squeeze or spasm. This is called bronchospasm. Bronchospasm makes the airways tighten, which causes asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

• There is no cure for asthma and even though symptoms can come and go, once one has developed asthma, one will always have asthma.

• Asthma can be controlled by taking the right medications and implementing environmental trigger avoidance strategies.

Asthma Medications

• Two types: Controller (maintenance) and Reliever (rescue)

• Controller medications are taken every day, even when there are no symptoms. They reduce inflammation and overproduction of mucus in the airways. They prevent asthma symptoms over time. Most controller medications take about 6 weeks to start working well.

• Reliever medications work quickly (in 5-15 minutes) and are only used as needed. They relax the muscles around the airways and temporarily relieve asthma symptoms.

• The most common way to take both controller and reliever medications is through a device called an inhaler. There are several types of inhalers, but a metered dose inhaler (MDI) should always be used with a valved-holding to ensure higher medication delivery to the lungs.

English

• Downloadable Asthma Medication Chart: Controller Versus Reliever
• What Are the Different Types of Asthma Medications?
• Why Are Valved-Holding Chambers Important?
• Video: How to Use your Asthma Inhaler

Español

• Video de Como Usar Su Inhalador Para el Asma

Environmental Triggers

Several environmental factors can be asthma attack triggers. Exposure to these triggers can increase inflammation inside the airways and cause bronchospasm. This can lead to asthma attacks. Staying away from the things that make your asthma worse is a large part of managing asthma and reducing symptoms. See the links below for more information on asthma triggers and ways to avoid them.

English

• Asthma and the Environment
• Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma
• Asthma Triggers
• What’s the Air Quality Where I live?
• Environmental Public Health Tracking - Asthma Data
• Environmental Public Health Tracking - Fire and Smoke

Español

• Desencadenantes del Asma

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Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma

This Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Video was created to be used by Community Health Workers/Community Health Representatives (CHW/CHR) as they work with asthma patients and families to more effectively control asthma symptoms and reduce environmental asthma triggers in the home. It addresses the Seven Principles of Healthy Homes from the National Center for Healthy Housing and discusses asthma action plans and medication devices to better control asthma.

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Asthma in Hispanic Children

The Asthma Control Program partnered with Nuestra Salud to implement a series of community meetings to increase understanding about asthma care and control among Spanish speaking Hispanic families who have children with asthma, using the photovoice method.

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External Resources

Centers for Disease Control

• Adolescent and School Health Program
• Asthma
• Asthma Speaker's Kit
• Basic Facts on Asthma
• The 6|18 Initiative: Evidence-Based Approaches

Environmental Protection Agency

• AirNow Kid's Air
• Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools

National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

• Exploring Asthma
• Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3)
• 2020 Updates to EPR-3 Guidelines (EPR-4)
• National Asthma Control Initiative
• National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
• Physician Asthma Care Education

New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking

• 5-3-1 Method During Fire and Smoky Day
• Asthma Information and Data
• Indoor Air Quality
• Outdoor Air Quality
• Seasonal Allergies

University of New Mexico

• Adult Asthma Clinic
• Pediatric Pulmonology

Associations

• Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
• American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children
• American Lung Association
• American Thoracic Society Chapters
• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

Asthma Control Program

Resources

2020 Updates to EPR-3 Guidelines (EPR-4) 2020 Updates to EPR-3 Guidelines (EPR-4) 2020 Updates to EPR-3 Guidelines (EPR-4)

Adolescent and School Health Program Adolescent and School Health Program Promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents through schools, enabling them to become healthy and productive adults.

Adult Asthma Clinic Adult Asthma Clinic The UNM adult asthma clinic offers standardized education for MDI use, spacer use, irritant avoidance, home treatment and written action plans for mild to severe asthmatics.

AirNow Kid's Air AirNow Kid's Air Offers helpful ways for kids to learn about air quality and clean air.

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Leading nonprofit family health organization whose mission is to eliminate unnecessary suffering and death due to asthma, allergies and related conditions through education, advocacy and outreach. - See more at: http://www.aanma.org/about-aanma/#sthash.pxSu7UI0.dpuf

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology A professional organization with more than 6,800 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries.

American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children HealthyChildren.org is the only parenting website backed by 67​,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

American Lung Association American Lung Association The leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research.

American Thoracic Society Chapters American Thoracic Society Chapters The roots of the American Thoracic Society reach back to 1905, when a small group of physicians decided that the best way to improve care for tuberculosis patients was to share their experiences and discoveries.

Asthma Asthma On this website, the CDC’s National Asthma Control Program helps Americans with asthma achieve better health and improved quality of life.

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America A not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world.

Asthma and the Environment Asthma and the Environment EPH tracking CDC Asthma and the Environment

Asthma Emergency Department Visits (2008-2016) Asthma Emergency Department Visits (2008-2016) Asthma Emergency Department Visits (2008-2016)

Asthma in Hispanic Children - Photo Voice Project Asthma in Hispanic Children - Photo Voice Project The Asthma Control Program partnered with Nuestra Salud to implement a series of community meetings to increase understanding about asthma care and control among Spanish speaking Hispanic families who have children with asthma, using the photovoice method.

Asthma Quality Improvement: Enhancing Care for Children with Asthma Asthma Quality Improvement: Enhancing Care for Children with Asthma The American Lung Association joined forces with existing healthcare clinics across the country to for our Enhancing Asthma Care Program.

Asthma Speaker's Kit Asthma Speaker's Kit This 75-slide presentation depicts the pathophysiology of asthma; prevalence, mortality, and morbidity measures at the national level; risk factors; medical management; and the public health response needed to successfully fight asthma.

Asthma Triggers Asthma Triggers AAFA Causes of Asthma Triggers

Basic Facts on Asthma Basic Facts on Asthma Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults can have asthma, too.

BRFSS Interactive Maps BRFSS Interactive Maps This page is part of an interactive mapping application that graphically displays the prevalence of behavioral risk factors at various levels. Using Geographic Information Systems, mapping technology and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Data, it allows users to visually compare prevalence data for states, territories, and local areas.

CDC Exhale Technical package CDC Exhale Technical package CDC Exhale Technical package

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Asthma Control Program Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Asthma Control Program Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Asthma Control Program

Desencadenantes del Asma Desencadenantes del Asma Desencadenantes del Asma

Downloadable Asthma Medication Chart: Controller Versus Reliever Downloadable Asthma Medication Chart: Controller Versus Reliever Downloadable Asthma Medication Chart: Controller Versus Reliever

Environmental Public Health Tracking - Asthma Data Environmental Public Health Tracking - Asthma Data Measures include asthma hospitalization age-adjusted rates.

Exploring Asthma Exploring Asthma Asthma (AZ-ma) is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3) This page on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website offers guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma.

Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma NMDOH Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma video

Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Video Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Video This video was created to be used by Community Health Workers and Community Health Representatives as they work with asthma patients and families to more effectively control asthma symptoms and reduce environmental asthma triggers in the home.

Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Video (Navajo Version) Healthy Homes for Families with Asthma Video (Navajo Version) This video was created to be used by Community Health Workers and Community Health Representatives as they work with asthma patients and families to more effectively control asthma symptoms and reduce environmental asthma triggers in the home.

Hogares Saludables para las Familias Con Asma Video Hogares Saludables para las Familias Con Asma Video Este video fue creado para ser utilizado por los Trabajadores de la Salud Comunitaria y los Representantes de Salud de la Comunidad mientras trabajan con pacientes asmáticos y familias para controlar de manera más efectiva los síntomas del asma y reducir los desencadenantes ambientales del asma en el hogar.

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Use the IAQ Tools for Schools Framework and sustain an effective and comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) management program or other overall health and safety initiatives.

Kid's Health Asthma Center Kid's Health Asthma Center Links to government agencies, schools, and education organizations. You can search this site to learn about asthma basics.

Lung Disease Information for the Public, Schools and Childcare Centers Lung Disease Information for the Public, Schools and Childcare Centers Posted on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website are publications and fact sheets for public schools and childcare centers on Lung Disease such as asthma, and other lung diseases.

Lung Diseases & Conditions Resources for Healthcare Professionals Lung Diseases & Conditions Resources for Healthcare Professionals These resources will help keep you informed on the best practices to treat and manage your patients’ care. Included are materials that can be shared with your patients and their families as a valuable tool to help answer some of their questions on lung diseases and conditions.

National Asthma Control Initiative National Asthma Control Initiative By working with Strategic Partners, Demonstration Projects, and Clinical Champions, the NACI has shown how to put asthma guidelines into action at home, school, work, health care settings, and the community.

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program National Asthma Education and Prevention Program The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) was initiated in March 1989 to address the growing problem of asthma in the United States. The NAEPP is administered and coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking

NIEHS Kids NIEHS Kids The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences provides information about asthma and how to control environmental triggers.

NMAC 6.12.2 NMAC 6.12.2 Health and safety services for primary and secondary public school administration.

NMAC 6.12.8 NMAC 6.12.8 Diabetes self-management by students in the school setting for primary and secondary public school administration.

Open Airways for Schools Open Airways for Schools Elementary school children can learn to manage their own asthma when they participate in the American Lung Association's award-winning Open Airways For Schools program.

Outdoor Air Quality Outdoor Air Quality Poor air quality outside can harm health. Air pollution has been linked to many health problems, including asthma and heart disease. Two types of air pollution are ozone and particle pollution. Ozone is the main ingredient in smog or haze. People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy. Tiny bits of dust, dirt, ash, and other materials can float in the air, where people may breathe them in. These are called "particulate matter" or PM. Breathing in these tiny materials can cause heart and lung problems.

Pediatric Pulmonology Pediatric Pulmonology The UNM pediatric pulmonology team sees patients with any pediatric respiratory problems including cystic fibrosis, asthma, neuromuscular diseases, pediatric rheumatologic diseases, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, ventilator dependence, tracheostomy dependence, sleep disorders, bronchiectasis, and chronic lung disease.

Physician Asthma Care Education Physician Asthma Care Education The PACE program is a two-part interactive, multi-media educational seminar to improve physician awareness, ability, and use of communication and therapeutic techniques for reducing the effects of asthma on children and their families.

Proyecto Fotovoz: El Asma en los Niños Hispanos Proyecto Fotovoz: El Asma en los Niños Hispanos The Asthma Control Program partnered with Nuestra Salud to implement a series of community meetings to increase understanding about asthma care and control among Spanish speaking Hispanic families who have children with asthma, using the photovoice method.

Quest for the Code® Asthma Game Quest for the Code® Asthma Game The Starlight Children’s Foundation adventure game helps kids and teens, aged 7 to 15 years, learn how to manage their asthma.

Senate Bill 75 - Emergency Medications Senate Bill 75 - Emergency Medications Allows schools the option to stock emergency supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and emergency supply of albuterol to be used in an emergency in a school setting.

State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools New Mexico was one of four new states added to the 2015 State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools. This report is part of an annual research project to help identify states with the most comprehensive and preferred statewide public policies supporting people with asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis and related allergic diseases in US elementary, middle and high schools.