Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways with reversible episodes of obstruction, caused by an increased reaction of the airways to various stimuli (Centers for Disease Control, August, 2007). Asthma breathing problems are described as “episodes” or attacks but the inflammation underlying asthma remains constant. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest pain or tightness. Many things can cause asthma attacks such as allergens (e.g., pollen), infections, exercise, changes in the weather, and exposure to airway irritants (e.g., tobacco smoke). In 2006, 403,226 adults and 117,842 children in Tennessee suffered from asthma. From 2004 to 2006, 20 youth and adolescent across the state died from asthma.
Featured Topic
Asthma Tool Kit
Cover
CHILDREN’S ASTHMA MANAGEMENT KIT
2009
Table of Contents
Resources for Child Care Professionals/Educators
The Annual Direct Cost of Asthma
Become Experts in Spotting the Early Signs of Asthma
Resources for Parents
Back to School Checklist for Children with Asthma
Helping Kids with Asthma Prepare for School & Flu
Protecting Yourself from H1N1 Flu
Become Experts in Spotting the Early Signs of Asthma
Resources for Clinicians
Patients with Asthma: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Interim Guidance for the detection of Novel Influenza A Virus Using Rapid
Resources for Local and Community Organizations
Resources for State Governments
Flyers and Fact Sheets
Good Health Habits…to Prevent the Spread of Flu
Good Health Habits…to Prevent the Spread of Flu (Espanol)
Asthma Facts
Every day in America:
- 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma.
- 30,000 people have an asthma attack.
- 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.
- 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.
- 14 people die from asthma
With proper treatment and monitoring:
- your asthma should be controlled;
- you should have fewer attacks;
- you should be able to do normal activities without having symptoms;
- you should have fewer symptoms, and;
- you should need to use quick-relief medicines less often.
Our Mission
The mission of the State of Tennessee Asthma Taskforce (STAT) is to promote lung health and reduce asthma disease and disparities through agency and community collaborations, advocacy, and education. For additional information about STAT’s activities, call (615) 741-7353.
Our Priority
STAT’s priority is to develop and implement a comprehensive state plan to reduce the burden of asthma among Tennessee’s school children in consultation with the Department of Education and the bureau of TennCare.
Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
Smoking has been shown to have a negative impact on asthma. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine is a toll-free telephone service that provides personalized support for Tennesseans who want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. The number to call for support is 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Additional Information on Asthma
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org/
- American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22542
- American Lung Association of Tennessee
http://www.lungtn.org/
- Open Airways
Classroom programs with free materials and training for schools and day care facilities. For preschoolers, we have the Sesame Street “A is For Asthma” video program. For children 8 to 11, we have Open Airways for Schools, a 6-session class. Contact the American Lung Association of Tennessee at 615-329-1151.
- AsthmaBusters
The American Lung Association’s online education club for is for children 7-14 with asthma. The club is incentive-based and rewards members for taking steps to learn how to manage their asthma. For information, visit www.AsthmaBusters.org, or call 1-800-432-LUNG.
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org/
- Asthma & Allergy Friendly Products
http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/asthma-products.html
- Center for Disease Control & Promotion (CDC & P)
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/
- CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyYouth/asthma/index.htm
- Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html
- National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm
- National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
- Tennessee Non-Smoker’s Protection Act
http://health.state.tn.us/smokefreetennessee/
- Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
http://health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm
- Pediatric Asthma.org
http://www.pediatricasthma.org/
- Quest for the Code-Asthma Game
http://asthma.starlightprograms.org/index.htm
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/humahealtheffectsasthma.html
References
American Lung Association of Tennessee, May 2006
Tennessee Department of Health - Child Fatality Review
Program 2004-2006
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, 2007
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, May 2006
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways with reversible episodes of obstruction, caused by an increased reaction of the airways to various stimuli (Centers for Disease Control, August, 2007). Asthma breathing problems are described as “episodes” or attacks but the inflammation underlying asthma remains constant. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest pain or tightness. Many things can cause asthma attacks such as allergens (e.g., pollen), infections, exercise, changes in the weather, and exposure to airway irritants (e.g., tobacco smoke). In 2006, 403,226 adults and 117,842 children in Tennessee suffered from asthma. From 2004 to 2006, 20 youth and adolescent across the state died from asthma.
Featured Topic
Cover
CHILDREN’S ASTHMA MANAGEMENT KIT
2009
Table of Contents
Resources for Child Care Professionals/Educators
The Annual Direct Cost of Asthma
Become Experts in Spotting the Early Signs of Asthma
Resources for Parents
Back to School Checklist for Children with Asthma
Helping Kids with Asthma Prepare for School & Flu
Protecting Yourself from H1N1 Flu
Become Experts in Spotting the Early Signs of Asthma
Resources for Clinicians
Patients with Asthma: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Interim Guidance for the detection of Novel Influenza A Virus Using Rapid
Resources for Local and Community Organizations
Resources for State Governments
Flyers and Fact Sheets
Good Health Habits…to Prevent the Spread of Flu
Good Health Habits…to Prevent the Spread of Flu (Espanol)
Asthma Facts
Every day in America:
- 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma.
- 30,000 people have an asthma attack.
- 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.
- 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.
- 14 people die from asthma
With proper treatment and monitoring:
- your asthma should be controlled;
- you should have fewer attacks;
- you should be able to do normal activities without having symptoms;
- you should have fewer symptoms, and;
- you should need to use quick-relief medicines less often.
Our Mission
The mission of the State of Tennessee Asthma Taskforce (STAT) is to promote lung health and reduce asthma disease and disparities through agency and community collaborations, advocacy, and education. For additional information about STAT’s activities, call (615) 741-7353.
Our Priority
STAT’s priority is to develop and implement a comprehensive state plan to reduce the burden of asthma among Tennessee’s school children in consultation with the Department of Education and the bureau of TennCare.
Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
Smoking has been shown to have a negative impact on asthma. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine is a toll-free telephone service that provides personalized support for Tennesseans who want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. The number to call for support is 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
Additional Information on Asthma
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org/ - American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22542 - American Lung Association of Tennessee
http://www.lungtn.org/- Open Airways
Classroom programs with free materials and training for schools and day care facilities. For preschoolers, we have the Sesame Street “A is For Asthma” video program. For children 8 to 11, we have Open Airways for Schools, a 6-session class. Contact the American Lung Association of Tennessee at 615-329-1151. - AsthmaBusters
The American Lung Association’s online education club for is for children 7-14 with asthma. The club is incentive-based and rewards members for taking steps to learn how to manage their asthma. For information, visit www.AsthmaBusters.org, or call 1-800-432-LUNG. - Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org/ - Asthma & Allergy Friendly Products
http://www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/asthma-products.html
- Open Airways
- Center for Disease Control & Promotion (CDC & P)
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/ - CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyYouth/asthma/index.htm - Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html - National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm - National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ - Tennessee Non-Smoker’s Protection Act
http://health.state.tn.us/smokefreetennessee/ - Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
http://health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm - Pediatric Asthma.org
http://www.pediatricasthma.org/ - Quest for the Code-Asthma Game
http://asthma.starlightprograms.org/index.htm - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/humahealtheffectsasthma.html
References
American Lung Association of Tennessee, May 2006
Tennessee Department of Health - Child Fatality Review
Program 2004-2006
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, 2007
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, May 2006
Governor Bill Haslam
