Asthma Awareness

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EPA supports local programs working to help people in their communities bring asthma under control. The first step is raising awareness that asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic disease that can be controlled.

Take action all year-round to promote asthma awareness in your community!

On this page:

• Know the facts
• Asthma Awareness Month
• Asthma Community Network
• Resources

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Know the Facts

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 24.7 million people have asthma, including 5.5 million children. Uncontrolled asthma is a common reason people seek medical attention, and the overall economic costs in the United States are high. Use the resources below to learn about the intersection between

asthma and public health.

• Asthma Fact Sheet: Download the asthma fact sheet to learn more about how asthma impacts public health.
• Asthma Triggers: Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Reducing exposure to environmental asthma triggers (such as secondhand smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and other pests, pets, nitrogen dioxide, outdoor air pollution, chemical irritants, and wood smoke) is an important component of asthma management.
• Federal Agencies and Organizations Addressing Environmental Asthma: Learn about efforts from other federal agencies, national nonprofit organizations, and EPA regional offices working to advance asthma care through outreach and education on environmental asthma triggers.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Schools: Nearly 1 in 13 children of school-age has asthma, which is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness. Find resources from the IAQ Tools for Schools program that promotes healthy learning environments and learn about implementing IAQ management plans in your school.

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Asthma Awareness Month

May is Asthma Awareness Month! You can participate in Asthma Awareness Month by using any of the tools and resources EPA provides to promote asthma awareness in your community.

Find resources to take action in your community this May for Asthma Awareness Month.

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Asthma Community Network

Asthma Community Network is designed for community-based asthma programs and sponsoring organizations (e.g., health care providers, government health and environmental agencies, nonprofits, coalitions, schools, etc.) to network and achieve remarkable health and quality of life improvements for people with asthma. Join the network today to:

• Talk to other registered programs across the nation and share best practices;
• Connect with mentors who can assist in development of program activities;
• Access the extensive resource bank and watch archived webinars; and
• Find postings about local, regional, and national events.

The Financing In-Home Asthma Care Microsite also includes information focused on delivering and paying for in-home asthma care to improve outcomes for children with asthma. Find resources to:

• Understand the value of in-home asthma visits as a critical component of asthma care;
• Learn about financing options for funding in-home asthma visits;
• Make the case to funders for the value of in-home asthma visits;
• Build a trained workforce to provide in-home asthma care; and
• Create effective strategies for reimbursement for in-home asthma care.

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Resources

If you are holding an event to promote asthma awareness, you can print and share copies of asthma publications and resources included below:

• Asthma Publications: Find asthma publications for a variety of stakeholders, including brochures, checklists, factsheets, guidance document, and reports.
• Asthma Resources: Find resources for parents, caregivers, and kids about how to gain control over asthma, including information about asthma action plans. Find resources for healthcare professionals to help improve quality of life for patients with asthma.