RESPIRATORY HEALTH ASSOCIATION

LUNG HEALTH PROGRAMS: REDUCE THE BURDEN OF AND DISPARITIES IN CHRONIC DISEASE (ESPECIALLY ASTHMA, LUNG CANCER, AND COPD).USE HEALTH EDUCATORS AND OTHER TRAINED STAFF/VOLUNTEERS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS, PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS AND COMMUNITIES ABOUT HOW THEY CAN ADDRESS BEST MANAGE THEIR CONDITIONS. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS INCLUDE: (A) ASTHMA: (FIGHT ASTHMA NOW(C) (FOR YOUTH/TEENS, DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL FIGHT ASTHMA NOW (C), ASTHMA MANAGEMENT EDUCATION FOR CAREGIVERS, AND PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE ALL ILLINOIS SCHOOLS WITH EMERGENCY ASTHMA RESCUE MEDICATIONS; (B) COPD INITIATIVE, WHICH INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION OF DIGITAL AND HARD-COPY EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR COPD PATIENTS AND THEIR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS TO SUPPORT IN-HOME PULMONARY REHABILITATION, AND RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF OUR COPD CAREGIVER'S TOOLKIT ON THE WELL-BEING OF CAREGIVERS; AND (C) OTHER ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING RADON AWARENESS EDUCATION, AND COVID-19 EDUCATION. WE DELIVERED ASTHMA MANAGEMENT EDUCATION TO NEARLY 300 STUDENTS WITH ASTHMA AND 1,500 ADULT CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA.

TOBACCO CONTROL: REDUCE SMOKING RATES AND EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE, AND PREVENT YOUTH FROM USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES. PROVIDE ADULT CESSATION SERVICES IN COLLABORATION WITH SEVERAL COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS, AS WELL AS THE CITY OF CHICAGO, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. PROVIDE TRAINING ON ITS COURAGE TO QUIT(R) SMOKING CESSATION CURRICULUM TO STAFF FROM COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WHO IN TURN OFFER THE PROGRAM TO THEIR CLIENTS. PROVIDE COUNSEL TO QUIT(R) TO HELP HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO SPEAK TO THEIR PATIENTS ABOUT QUITTING SMOKING AND LINK THEM TO CESSATION RESOURCES. DELIVER TRAINING TO STUDENTS ON THE RISKS AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF VAPING. VAPING EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL STAFF ALSO INCLUDES A COMPONENT ON RECOGNIZING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES, DESIGNED TO BE HIDDEN FROM ADULTS. WORK WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO PROMOTE POLICIES THAT LIMIT YOUTH ACCESS TO CIGARETTES AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES. WE REACH MORE THEN 6,300 STUDENTS ANNUALLY.