Asthma Coalition of Texas Content Managers RSS Feed

About Us

Fri, 21 May 2010 19:32:57 GMT

The Asthma Coalition of Texas (ACT) is a partnership involving over 375 individual and corporate members. The mission of the organization is to optimize health and quality of life for Texans with asthma. ACT addresses asthma-related issues in the areas of medical management, epidemiology and surveillance, environment, patient education, advocacy and government, and asthma in schools. The ACT is a nonprofit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a charitable tax-exempt organization with a 501 (C) 3 designation. Contributions to the ACT are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Sharon Petronella, MS, PhD, President Dr. Sharon Petronella is an environmental epidemiologist focused primarily upon investigating the health effects associated with exposures to toxicants. She holds a master’s degree in health education and promotion, and completed her Ph.D. in...

Patient Resources - Helpful Links

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:52:06 GMT

National Asthma Education Program information for the lay public Information available in English and Spanish. My Asthma Site developed by Protocol Driven Healthcare, Inc. (PDHI), a private corporation. Basic facts about asthma and human interest stories. Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Information regarding low cost educational products and equipment for asthma Asthma Center - Help for Asthmatic Kids An easily navigated asthma site. This site calculates peak flow ranges automatically when a personal best is entered and a colored action plan can then be printed out. There is also a nice symptom diary that can be printed out. National Safety Council Environmental Health Center This site has wonderful graphics. The language is very easy to understand. This site seems to be directed towards the asthmatic patient. There is curriculum manual (English and Spanish) that is very comprehensive in its education approach. Managing Allergies and Asthma This a very...

South Texas Asthma Coalition

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:05:48 GMT

Working Together Today ...For a Healthier Tomorrow Welcome to the South Texas Asthma Coalition About STAC Mission The mission of the South Texas Asthma Coalition is to improve the health of individuals with asthma through intervention, education and research. The Coalition pursues this mission by supporting and coordinating its members’ efforts to improve the health of individuals with asthma through raising public awareness of asthma, public outreach, and education to the community, physicians, and others in the healthcare field. Nonprofit Corporation Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a Charitable Tax-Exempt organization 503c(contributions to the STAC are tax deductible to the extent allowed). Recent Accomplishments School Nurse asthma conferences Oct. 2004 and Oct 2006 (CEUs) SAISD school nurses asthma education workshop Aug.2005 Health fairs and community asthma education initiative Partners STAC has partnered with many area community...

School Resources - Helpful Links

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:37:40 GMT

We are currently revising the Asthma in Schools Toolkit to include the latest updates on guidelines and medications. We will post this resource when available. Please check our website regularly for updates. Asthma at School: Controlling the Environment Very useful information provided by the Lung Association of Canada. Excellent Graphics, concise information with key links and resources. Drive Clean Across Texas - For Teachers and Schools This site, sponsored by the TCEQ, TxDOT and The Texas Highway Department, offers numerous links to information regarding air quality. This is a great resource for anyone seeking everyday practical ways to improve air quality. Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program This site is full of useful information regarding IAQ in schools. The EPA IAQ School Tool Kit is available for download in PDF format and useable for reproduction. This is very useful resource for school personnel. Guidance on Ozone...

Tools for Your Practice

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:36:39 GMT

Chart for Asthma Action Plan (pdf format) Asthma Home Environment Checklist: Tool for assessment of the home environment developed by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Disparities Collaboratives Asthma Resource Manual (pdf file): this collaborative (funded by the Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA, DHHS) is a national effort to improve health outcomes for all medically underserved people with chronic diseases. The Asthma Resource Manual provides complete information about changing health care systems to improve asthma care. Inhaler Priming Instructions (word format) Revised 10/06/08 Chart with new HFA inhalers priming instructions. *© 2008 Mary Lou Hayden, used with permission. Document created by Christine Wagner, 5-2008, last amended 10-08. Source of information Physicians’ Desk Reference, patient Instruction sheets, and pharmaceutical websites. May be reproduced for educational purposes. Addressing Asthma Triggers in the Home (pdf file): From...

Local Asthma Coalitions

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:44:00 GMT

The Asthma Coalition of Texas is a strong supporter of local asthma coalitions throughout Texas. For more information about a Coalition in your area, please visit the local coalitions web page. If you are interested in starting a local coalition in your area, please contact us TexasAsthma@aol.com Central Texas Asthma Coalition Contact: Steve Conti 512-324-3321, sconti@seton.org Coastal Bend Asthma Initiative Contact: Janie Pequeno, 361-694-6006, Janie.Pequeno@dchstx.org Julie Teat, 361-904-0955 ext 2126, jteat@valencehealth.com North Texas Asthma Consortium Contact: Anne Crowther, 214-456-4789, anne.crowther@childrens.com East Texas Asthma Coalition Contact: Paul Sharkey, 903-566-0278, Paul.Sharkey@uthct.edu El Paso Asthma and Allergy Coalition Contact: Yvonne Banegas, 915-577-6992, negasrt@sbcglobal.net Mid Rio Grande Border Health Education Center Contact: Gladys Keene, 956-712-0037, mrgbahec@stx.rr.com South Texas Asthma Coalition ...

El Paso Asthma & Allergy Coalition (EPAAC)

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:40:44 GMT

A Non-Profit Organization EPAAC MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Coalition is to optimize the health and quality of life of El Pasoans with asthma and allergies. VISION To eliminate asthma and its complications WHY Many studies show that Community based asthma coalitions can make a difference in reducing asthma morbidity and mortality. THE EPAAC INITIATIVE’S GOALS: Facilitating asthma education and promoting asthma awareness within El Paso and surrounding communities utilizing seminars, school fairs, asthma camps and the distribution of education materials Supporting the Asthma Coalition of Texas and its Mission Collaborating with healthcare professionals and community organizations within the El Paso and its surrounding areas. Contact us at EPAACTX@yahoo.com Helpful Links:

Texas Regional Data Fact Sheets

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:46:23 GMT

Data facts sheets provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services Asthma Control and Prevention Program. These fact sheets give an overview of data in Texas on the state level and then by health service region.

For a map of the health service regions Click here!

2007 Texas and Regional Data Fact Sheets

For more information on the burden of asthma in Texas, contact Sarah Kirk, MPH, Texas State Asthma Epidemiologist, Texas Department of State Health Services Asthma Control and Prevention Program.

Member Benefits

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:29:34 GMT

Benefits of membership include:

Member's Newsletter
Discount Registration at Educational Events
Free Asthma Resources & Materials
Access to Membership Directory for Networking
Membership Certificate

Environmental Resources - Helpful Links

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:46:20 GMT

Indoor Air Quality Sites Healthy Indoor Air Program was developed to provide basic but comprehensive information to consumers on how to get a handle on indoor air quality in their homes through education on health risks. Also provides control measures related to common residential indoor air problems. Help Yourself to a Healthy Home Very good manual to identify environmental hazards in the home. Easy to read for lay audiences. Includes advice on: lead, carbon monoxide, asthma triggers, pesticides, household cleaners, and many more useful tips. US Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality - Tools For Schools The Tools for School sections include successful outcomes in schools (health benefits and costs savings), research on IAQ and schools (cost savings, performance, and health effects), mold, asthma and a detailed reference section. Health House - Raising the Standard for Healthy Environments The Health House project is a national education program created...

Helpful Links

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:41:34 GMT

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Lung Information Easy access to 2002 Guidelines and other resources for health professionals (Practical Guide for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma); information on how to order materials State-of-the-art asthma guidelines in summary form (pdf file) Global Initiative for Asthma Links to variety of documents and resources, including GINA Pocket Guide for asthma management and prevention in children; excellent GINA Patient Guide (in Spanish and English). American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Site has full text of 2002 Guidelines and link to case studies Practical Approaches to Asthma. National Jewish Medical and Research Center ( Denver ) Easy to navigate; Medfacts patient information sheets; The Allergy Wizard animated program on allergies in school. American Academy of Family Physicians Patient handouts and information for professionals (includes date posted). Internet Scientific Publications Allows...

Resources

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:14:25 GMT

To better assist Texans with asthma, ACT felt it was important to provide those suffering from the disease, their families and caretakers as well as the health professionals caring for them with the best and most up-to-date information available. In doing such, our members have reviewed a number of websites and resources and made them available for your use. You will find those resources broken down in to subcategories:

Patient Resources - Resources for you and your provider to assist you with management of your asthma

Resources for Health Professionals - Resources for the health professional - including tools for your practice

School Resources - Resources to assist schools with the management of asthma

Environment Resources - Resources on how air quality impacts your breathing and what you can do

For a list of products available from the Asthma Coalition of Texas - please visit our Resource Catalog.

Asthma in Texas

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:11:59 GMT

In 2006, the state of Texas spent over $391.5 million for inpatient admissions with a primary discharge diagnosis of asthma - that comes out to $12 per second. The financial burden of this disease is staggering.

Over the past decade, asthma has become a widespread public health problem that has increased in both Texas and the United States. Asthma has a major impact on the health of the population and the burden falls unevenly on some populations.

The purpose of asthma surveillance is to collect statewide and regional data. Surveillance data helps public health officials focus their efforts on areas of Texas most in need of an intervention and helps determine the kind of interventions they should be, as well as to provide information for education and evaluation purposes and provide feedback to partners.

As we learn more of the scope and magnitude of this disease, the Asthma Coalition of Texas strives to reach our mission - improving the quality of health and life of Texans with asthma.

*This information taken from the 2007-2010 Texas Asthma Plan.

Texas Fast Facts

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:43:25 GMT

Click to download a word version of our quick reference fact sheet about asthma in Texas

Texas Fast Facts Revised 09/2008

Asthma Data Links

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:39:12 GMT

• Asthma Mortality   This site provides information about asthma mortality within a three-year period (1995-97) through maps of the continental U.S. For each state and population subgroup the total number of deaths was aggregated into the Health Service Areas (HSAs). From any map of the continental US, users can click within a state to see a more detailed description of the HSAs within the state. (Note: some HSAs comprise more than one state) This site is useful in identifying disparities in asthma mortality and health-care resources and utilization at the local level.  • Asthma In America : Texas Results  In 1998, a large comprehensive survey about public, patient and health care providers' attitudes and beliefs towards asthma was conducted by a research firm specializing in health issues, and was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Inc. In addition to the national sample of asthma patients (or parents of patients), regional samples, including the state of Texas,...

Provider Resources

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:33:10 GMT

Effective management of asthma is key to improving health outcomes - ACT is committed to providing health care providers with links and tools to better equip them to manage their asthma patients.

Please visit our resource catalog for additional tools.

The Burden of Asthma in Texas 2000-2005 Report

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:28:00 GMT

The Burden of Asthma in Texas Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation, which refers to the swelling of the inner lining of the airways, thus narrowing the air passage, bronchoconstriction, which is the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and increases in the production of mucus. Asthma is a widespread public health problem that has increased in the past two decades in the United States (U.S.) and Texas. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than 23 million, or 8.0% percent of the adult U.S. population in 2005, self-reported that they currently have asthma, with the prevalence still increasing. The most recent data in 2003 shows that the hospitalization rate was 17 per 10,000 U.S. residents, accounting for more than 484,000 hospitalizations. There were a total of 4,261 deaths in the U.S. for the same year with a mortality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 residents. In Texas, asthma also remains one of the...

Texas Asthma Plan

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:10:28 GMT

Asthma continues to be one of the most prevalent chronic lung diseases and growing health concerns in the state of Texas. Asthma, a potentially deadly illness, affects the lungs and causes the airways to become inflamed and swollen, and surrounding muscles to tighten. Symptoms include episodes of coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath.

According to the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2005, an estimated 1.5 million (6.8%) adult Texans (18 years and older) and 458 thousand (7.3%) children 0-17 years of age currently report having asthma. Also, an estimated 2.5 million (11.1%) adult Texans and 728 thousand (11.6%) children report having had asthma during their lifetime.

In addition, asthma has had a significant economic impact on the state of Texas. According to the Texas Health Care Information Collection in 2004, hospital discharges listing asthma as the principle diagnosis and other diagnoses account for about $353 million in total charges.

To address the burden of asthma in Texas, the Asthma Coalition of Texas (ACT), in partnership with the Texas Asthma Control and Prevention Program of the Department of State Health Services, has developed the 3rd edition of the Texas Asthma Plan. The Texas Asthma Plan serves as a planning tool to initiate asthma activities in the state of Texas. The 2007-2010 Edition contains issue items with updated goals and action steps specific to regional areas throughout Texas.

We encourage you to review the Texas Asthma Plan and take action to help reduce the burden of asthma in Texas. With everyone working together, we can make a difference!

Click here to see the plan.