Tagged With "school nurse"
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5 Reasons Why Children With Asthma Need Important Vaccines for the Back-to-School Season
As you get ready to send your child with asthma back to school, add one more item to the top of your list: Get the flu and pneumococcal vaccines.
If your child has asthma, they should get both the flu and pneumococcal vaccines. These shots can go a long way toward keeping your child healthy this school year.
Blog Post Featured
AAFA Names 15 States to 2016 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools
The 2016 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools (SHR) report identifies states that make it a priority to create healthy school settings for students with asthma and allergies. This annual report lists states with comprehensive laws and policies aimed at keeping children with asthma and allergies healthy at school.
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Asthma and Allergy To-Do List Before School Ends for Summer Break
Around the U.S., the school year is almost over! If you have a child with asthma or allergies, add these to your end-of-year to-do list.
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Back-to-School: Students and Asthma Inhalers
Did you know your state allows students to self-carry a quick-relief asthma inhaler while at school? Every state has a policy that allows students in public schools to self-carry, although each has its own procedures. This applies to every state in the U.S. Now is the time of year to get your school forms signed by your child's doctor. These forms include your child's asthma action plan and medication authorization form. Asthma is the leading cause of school absences due to a chronic...
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Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act Aims to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools to Improve Student Health and Learning
On Feb. 27, 2020, Senator Cory Booker and Representative Katherine Clark introduced the Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act. The proposed act would give schools a three-year grant to help them improve indoor air quality (IAQ) . The grant would allow schools in high pollution areas or that pose a severe health and safety threat to install commercial air filters. This program would be managed by the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These grants aim to: Improve the...
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Congress Introduces Bill to Protect Students with Asthma
Congress is taking steps to improve how schools across the country manage asthma. The federal bill is called the School-Based Asthma Management Programs Act (HR 4662). The bill encourages states to improve asthma care in schools. Schools that adopt improved asthma management programs and policies would have a better chance of receiving federal grant money for asthma programs. Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are the sponsors of the bill. The bill calls for: stocking...
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Does Your School Stock Medicine for Asthma Emergencies?
Does your state allow schools to stock quick-relief medicines for asthma? Quick-relief medicines , such as albuterol, act fast to relax tight muscles around your airways. This allows the airways to open up so air can flow through them. Congress is considering a law to encourage states to permit these “ albuterol stocking ” school policies . The School-Based Asthma Management Programs Act builds upon a similar law that encourages states to require schools to stock epinephrine auto-injectors.
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Eliminate Allergy and Asthma Triggers From Schools to Support National Healthy Schools Day
Asthma is the main reason why children miss school. In fact, children in the U.S. miss about 13.8 million school days each year due to asthma. Missing school can affect many children's grades and well-being. Controlling asthma triggers at home can help reduce asthma symptoms. But what about at school? If kids are exposed to triggers at school, managing asthma at home will be a losing battle. Children are the most affected by air pollution and poor indoor air quality. The Asthma and Allergy...
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Prepare for the New School Year With AAFA Resources for Managing Asthma
Looking for resources to help you plan for the new school year? We have several resources for parents, schools, teachers and staff to help students manage asthma at school.
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Preparing for School With Asthma and Food Allergies
We hosted a free educational webinar featuring guest speakers David Stukus, MD, and Michael Pistiner, MD on the Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) site. KFA is a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The presentation below answers common questions about how your allergist can help with back-to-school planning.
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School-Based Respiratory Health Management Act Introduced to House
[Press Release] Roe, Hoyer Introduce School-Based Respiratory Health Management Act Washington, May 2, 2017 | Lani Short (202-225-6356) WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) and House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) introduced H.R. 2285, the School-Based Respiratory Health Management Act, legislation that encourages states to help ensure students with reversible lower airway disorders, such as asthma, have assistance at school with managing their chronic disease and can...
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Schools and States Can Improve Indoor Air Quality for Students With Asthma and Allergies
As part of our 2019 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools (SHR), we look at the impact poor indoor air quality in schools can have on students with asthma and allergies.
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September/October Asthma and Allergy Advocacy Update: Passenger Rights on Planes, Protections in Schools and Access to OTC Medicines
Welcome to our first monthly advocacy update. My name is Jenna Riemenschneider, Director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). I'm pictured above with Mark Vieth, Senior Vice President at Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Associates, at a meeting with Airlines for America.
Through this monthly blog series, I will update you on our advocacy efforts. We have already had a busy fall. This first post will include our September and October activity.
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Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
Usually, we reward Good Samaritans coming to the aid of another human being who is sick - not punish them.
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The Tools You Need to Send Your Child With Asthma Back to School
It’s time for a new school year, which means it’s time to make sure you have everything in place to help your child with asthma have a safe and successful year. As you gather book bags, lunch boxes and supplies for the new school year, check out these resources from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). We have helpful forms, free downloads and information on keeping your child healthy.
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Three Bills Could Have a Big Impact on People With Asthma and Allergies
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month . During this month, our community seeks to raise greater awareness with family, friends, coworkers and others about what it is like to live with asthma and allergies. It’s also a good time to engage with your elected officials in Congress about several pieces of legislation that improve access to asthma and allergy treatments and medicines, and protect the rights of our patient community. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)...
Blog Post Featured
What Forms Do You Need for School If Your Child Has Asthma?
Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children. It is also the top reason for missed school days. If your child has asthma, know what forms your school requires for managing medications and asthma episodes at school. You must send a new set of signed forms to their school each year.
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Why the Weatherford, Texas, School Board’s Anaphylaxis Policy Is a Bad Idea
School is a common place for children to experience anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction. But the Weatherford Independent School District in Texas recently took a step backward. They created a policy that guides staff to give Benadryl® for severe allergic reactions, instead of unassigned stock epinephrine. But this goes against medical evidence.
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Your Asthma and Allergy Checklist for February
January flew by and February is already here! It's time to put some of these asthma and allergy tasks on your to-do list for this month.
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January Asthma and Allergy Advocacy Update: Progress Toward School Protections
Happy New Year! Welcome to your January advocacy update. I’m Jenna Riemenschneider, director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
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National Healthy Schools Day Highlights the Need for Better School Environments for Children with Asthma
Asthma is the main reason why children miss school. In fact, children in the U.S. miss about 13.8 million school days each year due to asthma. Missing school can affect many children's grades and well-being.
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November Asthma and Allergy Advocacy Update: School Protections and Emotional Support Animals and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors on Planes
Welcome to your November advocacy update. I’m Jenna Riemenschneider, Director of Advocacy at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
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Re: National Healthy Schools Day Highlights the Need for Better School Environments for Children with Asthma
I think this is a great topic, and National Healthy School Days is a great way to educate children, parents, teachers, and the community on asthma and allergies. I think it would be worth noting the studies on second-hand dander and how it significantly affects children with asthma and allergies in schools (i.e. the study thst shows the more cat owners in classroom there are, the worse prognosis with kids with allergies and asthma). I think having individual lockers outside classrooms for...
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Re: National Healthy Schools Day Highlights the Need for Better School Environments for Children with Asthma
Ay my kid's school, one of the teachers brings in her dog. I am irate-not a care for anyone there with a pet allergy.
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Re: National Healthy Schools Day Highlights the Need for Better School Environments for Children with Asthma
Oh, my, Ironmom -- that has to be super frustrating! What steps have you tried to get this addressed?
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Re: National Healthy Schools Day Highlights the Need for Better School Environments for Children with Asthma
Ironmom316, that us not cool I have seen dogs in my allergist office waitingvroom that are service dogs and I am like(to staff)--this is an allergist office waiting room and they wete like, well you can wait outside (to me). I went to a different allergist after that. If you cannot get a policy addressed correctly, switching out is always an option. I am super-allergic to dander and it developed into a serious chronic allergic disease after regularly being around dander that caused danage to...
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Re: Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
If you live in Texas and are concerned about these incidents, you can visit AAFA's Action Center to send a letter to your state legislators and the school district superintendents. Send a Letter to TX Legislators or the School Administrators
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Re: Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
Another case of ignorance...red tape bureaucrats with no common sense. So frustrating❗️
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Re: Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
Yes where is the common sense with the people in charge of these schools? So following the law is more important than preserving a life? So they are suppose to sit there and watch someone die? Really? That's murder.
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Re: Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
I think that these kids who were suspended knew what they were doing better than the school officials. They were administering inhalers, not injecting epinephrine. I think a sit down conference with the students involved,their parents, the medical staff at the school and the school administration to review the situation is what should have occurred. I do not advocate sharing medications at all; I am a pharmacist and am well aware of the problems with that. However, before we knew my daughter...
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Re: Texas Schools Suspend Students After Saving Classmates from Asthma Attacks
Hi Andrea! Thanks for joining and commenting! And welcome all other new members!
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Re: Why the Weatherford, Texas, School Board’s Anaphylaxis Policy Is a Bad Idea
That is CRAZY! They need to give epipens for anaphlaxis and follow medical protocol!!! Anything less is negligence that could result in death.
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Re: Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act Aims to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools to Improve Student Health and Learning
This is really great. Growing up, my elementary school had mold issues and they continued to grow until my siblings went years later and by then so many people were getting ill that they shut that school down. If they give schools the tools they need to improve indoor air (awareness and money to make the changes happen), so many children and families will be positively affected.
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Re: Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act Aims to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools to Improve Student Health and Learning
Sounds great. May I also suggest some investigating and some stricter enforcement procedures on H.U.D.S. smoking ban that is a failure in many cities across this country. Providing a clean teaching invironment is important but many children will return home to often worse indoor air quality where they live. To truly help the health of all children, they need healthy air at home as well as school. ailurimprovementon
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Re: Clean Air, Sharp Minds Act Aims to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools to Improve Student Health and Learning
Finally a serious legislative action on this problem. We all know air quality in schools is horrible and this is now becoming an even bigger issue with Covid-19. There should be good air purifiers in every school.
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Re: Action Alert: Protect Students With Asthma and Allergies
Can AAFA create a facebook profile photo frame we could use to help promote awareness of this?
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Re: Action Alert: Protect Students With Asthma and Allergies
Great suggestion Tiffany! I will forward this on.
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Advocacy Update: Funding for Asthma Programs and Food Allergy Research, Protections for Students, and Action on Sesame Allergy
Great Strides in July 2020 for People With Asthma and Allergies AAFA has made great strides this month in advocating for policies that protect people with asthma and allergies. The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468) and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act (H.R. 2117) . These have been top priority issues for our organization and we're excited for this progress! UPDATE...
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Back to School: Creating a Healthy Environment for Students and Staff With Asthma and Allergies (Webinar)
School staff and parents are dealing with many challenges this school year because of COVID-19 . Policies and procedures may affect students and staff with asthma and allergies. Join the MedicAlert Foundation and Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), for a webinar on how parents and school staff can prepare for the new school year. RSVP now to join us for the MedicAlert LIVE Healthy Hour on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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How COVID-19 Could Affect School Health Care Plans for Asthma and Allergies
Even though COVID-19 will change how schools operate for the 2020-2021 school year, children with asthma and allergies need to have a school health care plan in place if they are returning to in-person learning. Physical distancing, extra hand-washing , face masks and coverings , and other school policies may impact your child’s care plan. What Is a School Health Care Plan? A school health care plan is a document (or set of documents) that outlines your child’s medical condition and how it...
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Back to School: Creating a Healthy Environment for Students and Staff With Asthma and Allergies (Video and Resources)
The MedicAlert Foundation and Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), hosted a webinar on how parents and school staff can prepare for the new school year. They answered questions and shared resources on how to create a school that is food allergy and asthma friendly while preventing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 . Watch on YouTube Resources Asthma COVID-19 and Asthma Toolkit for Schools Helping Students Manage Asthma in School...
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Re: How COVID-19 Could Affect School Health Care Plans for Asthma and Allergies
Its ridiculous that MD do have no protection for our childern. My daugther has asthma bad especially in September this year it was the 1st day. Plus yes our school systems is so not right. They failed my baby 2 two but over turned the last one. Then last year ask if she wants to go in her correct grade in October no this should of been offered before school started. Crazy no implenations or help.
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Re: How COVID-19 Could Affect School Health Care Plans for Asthma and Allergies
Hello Godmyfour. Welcome to these community discussions where very difficult questions can be asked and where smart and compassionate people share their best answers. My own children are past school but I can imagine how hard it is for you to send yours to school with so much uncertainty. I guess for me the first thing to know is what IS the COVID plan at my school? Is it the best available? What are school staff doing at your children's school? Are you satisfied you know how to play your...
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
I am in support of much of this bill with the exception of coordination of care. No school should ever be involved in a child's coordination of care. That is to be left up to the parents and their care provider. Involving a school in the actual coordination of care would be a bridge too far.
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Hi Nicolle, School nurses are a vital part of the care team to help manage a child's asthma at school. Taking a coordinated team approach with the school nurse managing things at school is the best way to keep children safe at school. The nurse can communicate with both parents and teachers. They have a nursing background but are also part of the educational team. Every child with asthma should have an asthma action plan and some need additional accommodations in an IHCP or 504 plan and the...
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Efforts to reduce environmental triggers This is a missing piece in asthma education. Teachers, administrators, and even parents are lacking in knowledge of environmental triggers especially fragrance products, aerosols, disinfectants, and air fresheners. This bill needs to do more to give parents the ability to demand the cease of teachers from using toxic products in their classrooms.
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Dear Kathy, I am a parent of a now grown asthmatic child. There was never a school nurse on campus in elementary schools, rather there was an aid who would call me immediately if our son needed to use his nebulizer to dispense his albuterol. She was wonderful. The language around the school being part of the coordination of my child's care is alarming. The wording needs to be different because it sounds as if the school would be making decisions for the parent. Yours in health, Nicolle "Nikki"
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Thanks for sharing that experience Nicolle. I understand your your concern and there is no intention that the school would make decisions for the parent but rather a team approach. Studies show that for underserved kids, case management including school nurses can improve outcomes for kids with asthma. You read more in our Asthma Disparities Report (p143) - https://www.aafa.org/asthma-di...n-on-minorities.aspx
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Welcome Sher - reducing environmental triggers is very important. When schools better understand the sources of environmental triggers things like cleaning and fragrance, they can be addressed with policies to reduce exposure of students and staff.
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Re: House Passes Bill Protecting Students With Asthma and Allergies, Moves to Senate for Vote
Welcome Anjwl to the community. I'm glad you're here to be part of the conversation. Best!