Department of Public Health & Human Services

Public Health & Safety Division             
  asthma logo  
 

Montana  Asthma

Data

Asthma Friendly Schools

Certified 

Asthma Educators

Improving

Clinical Outcomes

 

Montana State Asthma Plan

State Asthma Plan Cover

In January, 2008 the Montana Asthma Advisory Group and the Montana Asthma Control Program released the Montana State Asthma Plan which outlines a public health approach to addressing asthma in Montana over the next 3-5 years. The plan includes goals, objectives and strategies to address asthma through:

  • Partnerships
  • Surveillance
  • Healthcare interventions
  • Environmental interventions and
  • School and Childcare Interventions

The plan acknowledges that asthma is a complex public health problem that must be addressed within a multidimensional framework. To view a full copy of the Montana State Asthma Plan, click here.

The Asthma Control Program

The Asthma Control Program at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human services is committed to improve the quality of life for all Montanans with asthma. 

The Montana Asthma Control Program supports:

  • Surveillance of asthma and related risk factors in Montana
  • Partnerships to increase the reach and efficacy of asthma control efforts statewide
  • Quality improvement measures that increase the level of asthma related health care in the state
  • School and workplace interventions that create asthma friendly spaces and support the unique needs of persons with asthma
  • Environmental interventions that reduce asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, mold and pests
  • Self management education that empowers patients to take control of their disease
  • Policy development related to asthma in Montana

Montana Asthma Data
Burden report cover

To access reports published by the Montana Asthma Control Program, click on the links below:

To access state and national data on asthma follow these links:

For more information on Montana asthma data contact Katie Loveland, Asthma Control Program Manager.

 

Asthma Friendly Schools

 

The Montana Asthma Control Program has created a resource guide for schools in Montana seeking to create asthma friendly environments. Click on this link to access the document Creating Asthma Friendly School in Montana. In addition, you can also view the accompanying Creating Asthma Friendly Schools Powerpoint presentation. If you are interested in having a presentation at your school about creating an asthma friendly environment, please contact Katie Loveland at 444-7304 or e-mail kloveland@mt.gov.

Creating Asthma Friendly Schools Cover

Montana MCA 20-5-420 allows students in Montana who have a Medication Authorization form on file with the school to carry and self administer their rescue asthma medication. The law also allows for back up medication to be kept at the school. Schools cannot deny student the right to carry their asthma medication if this form is completed. Follow this link to the Asthma and Severe Allergy Medication Authorization form.

 

Athletes with Asthma and Wildfires

Athletes with asthma competing for Montana Public Schools may have exacerbations during wildfire season. The Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of Public Instruction have approved recommendations for when to cancel outdoor sporting events due to wildfire smoke. School administrators, coaches and other staff can use this information to make informed decisions during wildfire season. For more information on air quality in Montana visit the Today's Air webpage run by the Department of Envivronmental Quality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a national Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative. To learn more, visit their Creating Asthma Friendly Schools website.

 

Certified Asthma Educators

The Montana Asthma Control Program supports healthcare providers in Montana who seek the national Asthma Educator Certification (AE-C).  The program provides support for studying for the AE-C exam through:

  • A lending library of free study materials
  • A mentoring program where current AE-Cs in Montana field questions about the exam
  • Asthma educator certification review courses

To learn more about this services, read our Certified Asthma Educator Initiative brochure.  For more information about the lending library, mentoring, and review courses contact Katie Loveland, Asthma Control Program Manager.

Certified Asthma Educator Brochure

Improving Clinical Outcomes

The Montana Asthma Control Program is commited to helping healthcare providers in the state improve their clinical outcomes. To this end we provide:

If you have any questions related to improving clinical outcomes in your patient population, contact Katie Loveland

The Montana Asthma Advisory Group

The Montana Asthma Workgroup is a diverse team of stakeholders representing more than 25 agencies from across the state who meet regularly to provide guideance and advice on asthma control efforts statewide.  Below are links to presentations and handouts from previous workgroup meetings.

March 6th, 2009: Bozeman, Montana

November 21st, 2008: Helena, Montana