Asthma Care

Consultants and advisors are available for you.

The Missouri Healthy Schools team includes experienced professionals who are available to answer your questions, provide training, and support your decision-making.  Your consultants for Asthma Care are:
Contact Project Manager Anna Trainer, MPH with general inquiries.     

Downloads, webinars and videos

BRAND NEW RESOURCE
Student Tobacco/Vape Prevention in Schools
​Main topics:
Talking Points
  • CDC recommends that schools adopt tobacco-free school campus policies, which support and reinforce tobacco-free norms for all students, staff, and visitors.
  • Resources are available for educators, coaches, and others to talk to youth about the risks of e-cigarettes, including E-Cigarettes and Youth: What Educators and Coaches Need to Know.
  • Many young people who vape are addicted to nicotine and want to quit. Accountability for youth vaping should primarily fall on 1) retailers who violate existing laws prohibiting sales to minors and 2) e-cigarette manufacturers who use marketing tactics known to appeal to youth.
  • Alternatives to discipline should be prioritized for students caught vaping. Educators and administrators can encourage students to quit and offer resources to quit such as, Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting, National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree Teen, and state quitlines at 1-800-QUITNOW.
  • CDC is not aware of specific evidence to suggest that vape detectors in schools prevent or reduce youth vaping.
  • CDC funds cannot be used to purchase vape detectors.
 
Additional Resources Provided 3.15.23
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The "Real Cost" Campaign by the FDA
​Main topics: FDA’s award-winning public education campaign, “The Real Cost,” continues to prevent youth from starting and continuing to use tobacco products. The e-cigarette and cigarette prevention campaigns focus educating youth about the health consequences and risks of vaping and smoking. “The Real Cost” campaign was developed based on extensive research and uses a mix of marketing and advertising tactics across teen-relevant communication channels to reach youth audiences. Provided 10.19.22
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White House Summit on Indoor Air Quality
​Main topics: Join the White House Summit on Indoor Air Quality via live stream on Tuesday, October 11, from 1 – 5 p.m. ET. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the critical importance of air quality in the fight against infectious diseases. The summit will focus on our collective efforts to chart a path toward more buildings adopting indoor air quality improvements so that more Americans can benefit from its health protections. RSVP to attend.
Provided 10.10.22
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School-Based Intervention for Children With Asthma and Anxiety
​Main topics:
In The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN) August 2022 Podcast, JOSN Editor Martha Dewey Bergren interviews author Colleen McGovern to discuss the article, "Sustained Effects From a School-Based Intervention Pilot Study for Children With Asthma and Anxiety," evaluating the sustained preliminary effects of an integrated asthma education and cognitive behavioral skills-building program, Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment for Asthma.
Provided 8.30.22
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Back to School 2022: Combating Youth Vaping
​Main topics:
Kate King, NASN President-elect, and Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, joined forces and spoke to FOX 5 DC about combatting youth vaping as students return to school. King details the physical and mental health risks and offers tips for parents and caregivers to recognize e-cigarette use. King and Myers also teamed up to join Local 21 CBS News, WHP Harrisburg, to highlight the risks of vape pens for youth and the urgent need for the FDA to ban flavored e-cigarettes.

King spoke on Queen City News Now to talk about the dangers of teen and adolescent vaping and the flavored e-cigarettes that are so readily available. "We have to stop manufacturing and we have to stop the sale of these products!" View the interview. And continue reading the Weekly Digest to find youth tobacco/vaping trainings and resources.

Provided 8.30.22
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Allergies and Asthma Resources
​Main topics: Several resources below for school staff and parents
>> Back to School Checklist for School Nurses
>> Asthma and Allergies Signs and Symptoms PDF- A Guide for School Staff
>> Online Store
>> SAMPRO Asthma Action Plan
>> American Academy of Pediatrics Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan
Provided 3.3.22
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Allergies and Asthma at School
​>> Main topics:Parents and schools need to partner to care for students with asthma and life-threatening allergies, as well as other related conditions.
Parents also need to help their child be ready to go to school, communicate their child’s needs to school staff and provide the school with medication and paperwork that they need.

Schools and school nurses need to develop policies and plans so they are prepared to deal with asthma and life-threatening allergies at school.

Allergy & Asthma Network has resources to help keep children safe at school.
>> Asthma at School for Parents
>> Asthma at School for School Staff
>> Allergies at School for Parents
>> Allergies at School for School Staff
Provided 3.3.22
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School Nurse Chronic Health Assessment Tool - SN Chat
​>> Main topics: Over 25% of students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 schools have a chronic health condition, including asthma and allergies. These students are at risk for having a life-threatening emergency for which school staff must be prepared to intervene.
>> Download Tool here
Provided 3.3.22
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Caring for Students with Chronic Health Concerns: SN CHAT Tool
​>> Main topics: Over 25% of students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 schools have a chronic health condition, including asthma and allergies. These students are at risk for having a life-threatening emergency for which school staff must be prepared to intervene.
>> View recording here
Provided 3.3.22
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Importance of Air Quality in Schools
​>> Main topics: Schools across the US are trying to reopen safely and air quality is a major concern. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have found that levels of airborne pollutants indoors can be two to over 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution levels.
>> Read more here
Provided 1.15.22
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Can I use a nebulizer to provide quick relief medication (e.g., albuterol)?
    >> Answer: Use of a nebulizer is NOT recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Use a meter dose inhaler with a valved holding chamber.
      
  • Cough is a symptom of COVID-19.  Can a child with asthma who coughs frequently still come to school?
    >> Answer: The CDC recommended symptom screener for schools addresses this issue noting that daily home health screening for students should focus on new onset cough or change in cough from the student's baseline: New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/ asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline).  Click here to view the CDC's recommended daily home health screener form.
  • Can I use corrugated tubing as a spacer when I use stock Albuterol?  
    >> Answer: No, because there is no one-way valve, which is necessary to prevent cross-contamination.  

  • How I do get the free start-up kit (with COVID-19 asthma care supplies) for my school school or district?  
    >> Answer: The Allergy and Asthma Foundation - St. Louis Chapter is handling distribution of kits. Request your kit here.   

  • Should masks be worn by people with asthma?  
    >> Answer: In most cases yes.  Currently, the CDC is recommending that all people over age 2 wear a cloth face covering when in public or when around people who don’t live in your household. The guidelines for school settings are age 9.  The Allergy & Asthma Network addresses this question with a thorough response here. 
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