Department of Health

Asthma Education Targets St. Louis City Schools

In 2011, St. Louis was ranked #6 on the list of asthma capitals in the nation.

December 1, 2011 | 2 min reading time

This article is 13 years old. It was published on December 1, 2011.

Asthma has become a prevalent and life-threatening problem within the United States. More than 20 million children and adults live with asthma all over the U.S., making it one of the most common and costly diseases. In 2011, St. Louis was ranked by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America as #6 on the list of asthma capitals in the nation. As a result of this disparity, the School Health Service division in collaboration with the Asthma Friendly St. Louis Program hosted asthma education assemblies in two of their targeted schools, St. James the Greater School and St. Cecilia School and Academy. 

 

The focus of the program was to provide each student with a basic knowledge of asthma and how it affects the body, dispel myths, stress the importance of medication compliance, and teach students how to respond during an asthma attack. The interactive presentations enabled the students to confer their understanding of asthma while also teaching the students about the significance of the disease.  The asthma assemblies, led by school nurse Angela Turner Angela Turner, RN

included an asthma education video, an interactive web-based post-test, and asthma equipment usage demonstrations. At the conclusion of each presentation, students were encouraged to visit four interactive stations.  These stations, staffed by School Health staff, included pig lungs, an interactive computer-based asthma game, a mucous creation station, and an asthma trigger discovery doll house.  Additional asthma education has also been provided to parents, staff and the athletic association within both schools.  During these two events, approximately 322 children were provided with asthma education and healthy snacks.

Shannon and June at the Asthma education event

Pictured above:  Shannon and June staff one of the information tables at the event.

The School Health Service staff in conjunction with Asthma Friendly St. Louis believes that the community as well as the patient should receive asthma education.  Knowledge empowers people living with asthma and their families to work proactively with their physician to improve their overall asthma management plan. While we cannot cure asthma, we can ensure that our community is equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to ensure that not another life is lost to this manageable disease. 

 

Health Department
City of St. Louis
  • Department:
    Department of Health
  • Topic:
    Health