Educational Organizations for Asthma and Allergy
If you or someone in your family has asthma and allergies, you are not alone.
Millions of people in America suffer from these diseases that affect the lifestyles of
the sufferer and his/her family. Asthma and allergies are truly a family affair.
Controlling asthma and allergies is an ongoing process, a way of living. It goes
beyond simply taking medication. Proper control of this disease is reached when all
of the family pulls together in treatment including medications and education. The
first part of management is educating yourself about the disease and its treatment.
You will then be a better partner with your doctor in making decisions about your
health. Standing near are organizations to help you with information and education.
Not only can you receive information directly from these organizations, but also
these organizations work through schools, churches, and corporations.
The Asthma and Allergy Center, P.C.
401 E. Gold Coast Road #326
Papillion NE 68046
e-mail: lford@asthmaandallergycenter.com
website: www.asthmaandallergycenter.com
Bellevue Health Center
2206 Longo Drive
Bellevue NE 68005
Office: 402-592-2055 Pollen Line: 402-255-3868
For twenty years, The Asthma and Allergy Center has been assisting in the
diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases in patients of all ages. The Asthma and
Allergy Center is staffed by well-trained and qualified people who give state-of-the-art
medical care to their patients. We strive to educate our patients ti participate along
with their physician, in a partnership of quality care. There are three physicians and
a physician assistant available to our patients in both allergy and immunology and
pediatric pulmonology.
Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic
8552 Cass Street
Omaha NE 68114
402-397-7400
website: www.webmd.com/care/midwestallergyasthmaomaha
Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic is an organization that has strived for quality
respiratory care over the past 35 years. Adults and children are evaluated both in
regard to diagnosis abd treatment. The most current techniques are used in dealing
with all phases of allergic disease.
The office is available 5 1/2 days a week. There are five physicians and two nurse
practitioners on staff. Three physicians are board certified in allergy and clinical
immunology and two physicians are board certified in pediatric pulmonology.
The staff is deeply committed to Omaha and to a five state greater Midwest area. In
an effort to make service more available to out-of-town patients, services are provided
in Norfolk, Grand Island, Columbus, and Nebraska City.
Allergy and Asthma Network * Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.
2751 Prosperity Avenue #150
Fairfax VA 22031
800-878-4403
website: www.aanma.org
Allergy and Asthma Network*Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. is an educational
membership organization dedicated to assisting asthma and allergy patients and
their families. Allergy and Asthma Network* Mothers of Asthmatics provides
practical information, support and resources to individuals with allergy ans asthma to
make it easier to manage their conditions. Membership includes:
The MA Report
Pre-educational resources
Discounts
Marketplace
FYI
Toll Free Hotline and support staff
Physician role call
Research
Legislative and Public Awareness
Allergy and Asthma Help
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee WI 53202
website: www.aaaai.org
847-427-1200
Drawing numbers from the United States, Canada and many other countries, the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunotherapy is the largest
professional medical society organization representing allergists, asthma
specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and other physicians
and researchers with a special interest in asthma and allergic disease. The mission
is to advance the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology by
discussionat meetings; by fostering the education of students and the public; by
encouraging union and cooperation among those engaged in the field; and by
promoting and stimulating research and study in allergy, asthma and immunology.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's role
in public education is to directly educate patients and the public
about allergic diseases and the role of allergists using:
Physician Referral and Information Line-800-822-2762
Educational publications
National Allergy Bureau (NAB)
Media relations
Support of lay organizations
Speaking out about allergic disease
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
85 West Algonquin Road #550
Arlington Heights IL 60005-4425
847-427-1200
website: www.acaai.org
The ACAAI is a professional organization of more than four thousand
allergist/immunologists and related health professionals. The college is dedicated to
the clinical practice of allergy, asthma and immunology through education and
research to promote the highest quality of patient care.
Nationwide Asthma Screening Program
Children's Allergy Awareness Program
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online
PR Network
Allergist Locator
Inner-City Initiative on Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma screning program
Asthma Patient Conferences
Media Awards
Latex Allergy Guidelines
Video Tapes
Support of patient advocacy organization
American Lung Association (ALA)
1740 Broadway
New York NY 10019-4374
212-315-8700
800-LUNGUSA
website: www.lungusa.org
The American Lung Association's mission is to prevent lung disease and promote
lung health. The Association is the oldest voluntary health agency in the United
States with a national office and 78 constituent and affiliate associations. The
American Lung Association was founded in 1904 as the National Association for the
Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis. Throughout the years, as the number
of tuberculosis cases drastically declined, the association widened its interest to
include other forms of lung disease and, in 1973, changed its name to the American
Lung Association. Today, the American Lung Association is dedicated to the
prevention, cure and control of all types of lung disease, such as asthma,
emphysema, tuberculosis and lung cancer through community service, public
health education, advocacy and research.
Asthma Programs:
1. "Open Airways for Schools" is comprehensive asthma management program,
designed to empower elementary children; ages 8 through 11 years old, to better
manage their asthma so they can lead more normal lives. Currently, "Open Airways
for Schools" is being conducted with the assistance of parents, teachers, school
nurses and other volunteers in over 20,000 elementary schools nation-wide,
reachingalmost 200,000 children. This award winning program, available in English
and Spanish, informs students of the actions that they must take to prevent asthma
and empowers them to better control their asthma. This control is accomplished
through six 40-minute lessons, which are taught by trained volunteers. The
interactive approach utilizes group discussion, stories, games and role-play to
promote children's active involvement in the learning process. After completing the
program, the children were able to control their asthma, and their parents reported that they too, took more steps to control their childrens' asthma. This parental involvement is significant because the parents did not actually participate in the
asthma clases with their children; rather, children engaged their parents at home with assignments from the asthma classes and effectively influence their parents. In
addition, following the program the school environment became more supportive:
children without asthma were more willing to help children with asthma, and children
with asthma were able to empathize and give support to each orther. This program is
approved and recommended by the National Association of School Nurses.
2. Sesame Street "A is for Asthma" is an English and Spanish program was
designed for children 3 to 6 years old and their care-givers, by the Children's
Television Workshop and the American lung Association.
3. Asthma Research. For many years, the American Lung Association
Research Awards Programs has been funding scientists doing a wide range of basic
research that will help answer questions about asthma, its prevention and its
control. Beside the annual research grants, the American lung Association through
a major gifts campaign, Asthma Attack!, sponsors three multi-disciplinary centers
doing basic research on asthma and also sponsors nineteen regional clinical re-
search centers that are involved in a network of asthma clinical trials.
4. Asthma Educators Certifications Program. Because of the American Lung
Association's belief that controlling asthma requires a partnership between patients
and their health care professionals, the American Lung Association is leading an
effort with many other public health organizations to develop an asthma educators
certification. The program will provide certification to asthma educators that have demonstrated their knowledge and skills. In order to teach asthma, people need
training not only about the disease but also about how to effectively deliver the
information. This certification program will ensure that people who are educating
asthma patients, have the knowledge, training and expertise to do so. The first
examination for certification will be held in the Spring 2001.
5. "Life and Breath" is an on-line magazine published monthly and gives up-to-
date information, news briefs and how-tos.
6. On-line Newsletters. These free on-line services can be obtained by signing
up through the website.
7. "American Lung Association to Family Guide to Asthma and Allergies" provides the newest information on asthma and allergies available. Written in
conjunction with the ALA's scientific advisor Dr. Norman Edelman, the guide shows
how to manage asthma and allergies and lead active and healthy lives. It teaches
people with asthma how identify and avoid asthma and allergy triggers at home
and at school. Treatment options are detailed so that the family can make informed
decisions. It also details how to reduce allergens in the home and how to get the
best care at the lowest cost.
8. Asthma Camps. Many of the camps are sponsored by the local lung
association in each city. Day camps and one-week residential camps give children
with asthma self-reliance as well as asthma education, knowledge and a more
positive self-esteem.
9. Asthma Magazine. In each issue, the "American Lung Association's
Asthma News" shares research, advice from experts and practical tips when dealing
with asthma as well as updates on the ALA's asthma programs. To subscribe to the
magazine, call 800-527-3284.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
1233 20th Street NW #402
Washington, DC 20036
202-466-7643
800-7-ASTHMA
website: www.aafa.org
For 45 years AAFA has been dedicated to serving the estimated 50 million
Americans with asthma and allergic diseases through patient and public education
programs, public and governmental advocacy, the support of research and a network
of chapters and educational support groups.
1. Educational Support Groups. Currently, there are 127 support groups in 33
states, Germany, Barbados, and Bermuda. Leaders-link is the AAFA's educational
support group leaders' quarterly newsletter.
2. Meeting in a Box is a fully contained program on allergic topics to be
presented to the patient by the volunteers.
3. You Can Control Asthma is a low literacy multi-cultural asthma education
program for children and their families disseminated through hospitals, schools, and
corporations. "You Can Control Asthma" is an ideal patient education tool because
it is precise and easy to understand and provides information and asthma self-
care. It is ideal children and for patients for whom English is a second language and
for good readers who need the information quickly. The original design was used for
emergency, inpatient and out-patient departments of urban hospitals. The program's
success leads to its adaptation for use in the private physicians' offices HMOs and
home care settings.
4. Power Breathing Program. This is the first patient education program
designed specifically for teens living with asthma. Teenagers have unique issues
when it comes to asthma treatment. Many teenagers stop taking medicatons
because of their need to "fit in". When treatment clashes with lifestyles, teen
patients become non-adherent to treatment programs. AAFA's Power Breathing
Program acknowledges and addresses the teem social and life style concerns. It
helps teens to a successfully manage their asthma by teaching them to integrate
healthy habits within their unique life style.
5. Allergy Action/How to Outsmart Your Allergies is a book developed by Art Ulene, M.D. and AAFA.
6. Asthma Allergy Advance is a bi-monthly publication of practical information including allergy and asthma news, environmental control tips and a question/answer
section.
7. Resource Catalog is a compendium of books and materials about asthma and
allergies from many publishers, including a brochure series and newsletters that can
be ordered through AAFA.
8. Asthma Training for Kids (ACT) is a patient education program that helps
children ages 7 to 12 years old and their parents to learn to control asthma and its
symptoms. ACT is designed with the child in mind, using simple language and
engaging presentations to teach basic self care principals. Cartoon graphics and
interactive games, based on the traffic light motif, teach children and their parents
when to "go", "use caution", or "stop" when taking part in activities, in categorizing
asthma triggers, or using asthma medications.
