SUNDAY, Nov. 24, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- Six strategies to help schools better manage the problems faced by students with asthma are offered in a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The guide, called "Strategies for Addressing Asthma Within a Coordinated School Health Program," is meant to help schools cope with the increasing numbers of children with asthma. From 1980 to 1994, there was a 74 per cent increase in asthma among children 5 to 14 years old.
About 5 million American children and adolescents have asthma, which accounts for 14 million lost school days each year.
Schools can help those students by adopting 'asthma-friendly' policies and procedures and providing asthma education for students and staff, said Lloyd Kolbe, director of the CDC's adolescent and school health program, in a prepared statement.
The CDC report says schools:
- Should establish appropriate management and support systems.
- Provide appropriate health and mental health services for students with asthma.
- Offer a safe and healthy school environment to reduce asthma triggers.
- Provide asthma education and awareness programs for students and staff.
- Establish safe and enjoyable physical education and activity opportunities for students with asthma.
- Coordinate school, family and community efforts to manage asthma symptoms and reduce student absences.
More Information
You can view the full report by going to the CDC.
