Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Company Helps Asthma Students

In an effort to win the battle against asthma, the American Lung Association of Arkansas and Glaxo-Wellcome are introducing an exciting new school-based program called Open Airways For Schools. The program is designed to help elementary school children better manage their asthma, with the assistance of their parents, teachers, school nurses, physicians and the Arkansas Society for Respiratory Care.

Open Airways For Schools is a comprehensive curriculum for students, ages 8 to 11, that teaches how to detect the warning signs of asthma, as well as what environmental factors may trigger an attack. An estimated 4.8 million children under the age of 18 suffer from asthma, including over 45,000 in Arkansas. This multi-cultural, interactive program allows children to learn by doing. Using a series of cartoon kids, children with asthma are brought together in small groups and through role-play, story-telling, games and group discussions, bring their real life experiences into the program.

The need for such a programm is clear. Asthma is the sixth ranking chronic condition in the nation and the number one cause of school absenteeism. Asthma is the third ranking cause of hospitalization of children under the age of 15 and is growning with the number of diagnosed cases rising an alarming 72.3% between 1992 and 1994.

"Until there is a cure for asthma, education and treatment are considered the most effective deterrents against this lung disease," said Teresa Conner, Program Director of the American Lung Association of Arkansas.

Open Airways For Schools is a particularly effective educational tool because young people find it easy to understand. Tests of the origional program show that students participating in the asthma classes suffered fewer attacks and showed imporved school performance. "Not surprising," states Bob Bradley, R.N., CRTT, president of the American Lung Association of Arkansas. "When children feel better they perform better at school," he explained. Open Airways For Schools will enable the thousdands of children in Arkansas who suffer from asthma to better manage their condition and enjoy the same activities as other children their age.

Remember, we can make a difference with Open Airways For Schools. We can help change the lives of children with asthma and by doing so, help to empower children with an understanding about asthma and their own health that can last a lifetime.

For more information about Open Airways For School or to volunteer, please contact the American Lung Association of Arkansas at 1-800-586-4872. When you Can't Breath, Nothing Else Matters!