Asthma Education Class Offered Free by American Lung Association

Registration Is Required

CINCINNATI, OH (09/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Over 24 million Americans live with asthma, a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult.

Because asthma is so common, it is often forgotten that asthma is a serious condition that can be fatal.

Asthma education, proper medical care, and self-management skills are the cornerstones of good asthma management. The American Lung Association is committed to providing that asthma education to patients, families, school personnel and caregivers.

A free Asthma 1-2-3 educational program will be offered by the American Lung Association to school personnel and parents on Thursday, October 14 from 9 am to noon at The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Rookwood Tower, 3805 Edwards Road, Suite 500, Cincinnati.

Although there is no charge for the session, seating is limited and registration is required. Please call the American Lung Association at 513.985-3990 to register.

There is no cure for asthma, but it can usually be managed so you can live a normal, healthy life.

Asthma education has been a particular focus of the American Lung Association in the greater Cincinnati area over the past few years.

Since 2007, the education programs Asthma 101 and Asthma 1-2-3 have been presented to school teachers, staff and transportation workers at 84 locations. The 902 participants were provided with Asthma Action Plans and asthma education resources. Support for this program was provided by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

The Counting on You program for preschool and childcare providers has been presented at 64 locations with 992 participants since 2007 through a partnership with ThinkTV/CET Public Television and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Extensive asthma resources from that partnership can be found at www.caareasthma.org .

Open Airways for Schools, an asthma education and self-management program for children ages 8 to 11, is being offered throughout the area this school year, also with support from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Through a pediatric prescription program, the American Lung Association has also been able to provide approximately 500 asthma and lung health medications for children in the greater Cincinnati area. This program was financially assisted by the Louis and Melba Schott Foundation, Fifth Third Bank Trustee.

Free Asthma Action Plans can be downloaded from the association's website at www.ohiolung.org and persons with asthma or lung disease-related questions can talk to an American Lung Association health care professional directly by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA and choosing option #2.

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