FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 03 2022
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Public Information Officer, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757, jebelt@mt.gov
Chuck Council, Communications Specialist, DPHHS, (406) 444-4391, (406) 461-8367, hcouncil@mt.gov
DPHHS Participates in World Asthma Day
Resources are available to help people with asthma
To raise awareness about the health consequences and personal and financial costs of asthma, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is participating in World Asthma Day on May 3, 2022, and Asthma Awareness Month throughout the month of May.
DPHHS joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in encouraging people with asthma to learn more about how to control asthma and prevent asthma episodes.
This year’s theme for World Asthma Day is “Closing Gaps in Asthma Care.”
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs resulting in repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma attacks can cause adults to miss work and children to miss school. About 31% of Montana adults with current asthma reported they missed a day of work or couldn’t do their usual activities in the past year due to asthma. These dangerous and sometimes life-threatening episodes reduce the quality of life for people with asthma.
The good news is that asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. All asthma patients should receive education in asthma symptoms, triggers, medication adherence, and inhaler technique at regular office visits.
“Asthma is a complex chronic disease, and its prevalence and severity are shaped by a variety of health, socioeconomic, and environmental factors,” said acting DPHHS State Medical Officer Dr. Maggie Cook Shimanek. “Without good control, patients are at risk for asthma attacks, possibly leading to emergency room visits or hospitalizations. Beyond the health consequences, persistent asthma symptoms also impact quality of life for patients and their families.”
The Montana Asthma Control Program (MACP) coordinates statewide efforts to reduce asthma disparities and hospitalization rates, as well as increase the number of people with asthma receiving self-management education. One of the primary program activities is the Montana Asthma Home Visiting Program (MAP).
The MAP provides free services to help children and adults of all income levels and ages learn how to better manage asthma in their daily lives. Participants receive detailed education on asthma medications and the important role they play in managing the symptoms of asthma, as well as education on asthma triggers in different environments and steps to mitigate those triggers.
Trained home visitors perform a home environmental assessment and help coordinate care between physicians, school nurses, case managers, other health professionals, and family members. Participants also receive trigger reduction tools such as “asthma friendly” mattress and pillow covers and a HEPA-grade air filter if needed.
To better serve all Montanans, the MAP has adopted a virtual home visiting option for individuals living in counties not directly served by one of the nine local MAP sites. Residents in all 56 counties are now able to enroll in the MAP. To be eligible for the MAP, an individual must have had at least one visit to the emergency department, urgent care, or hospitalization for asthma within the previous 12 months, or have scored less than 20 on the Asthma Control Test within the previous 12 months.
Adults and children who do not meet initial eligibility requirements are able to participate in MAP with a direct referral from their healthcare provider. For more information or to enroll in the MAP, please visit asthma.mt.gov. It’s quick and easy to fill out a self-referral form and connect with a home visitor today.
To learn more about asthma control and management, visit CDC at cdc.gov/asthma or the Montana Asthma Control Program at asthma.mt.gov. For air quality information, visit DEQ’s Today’s Air website, todaysair.mt.gov.