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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
December 30, 2004 Number 119
Content:
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: FREEDOM FROM SMOKING ONLINE
The American Lung Association is raising awareness about it's Freedom From Smoking Online program as many Americans who smoke vow to quit for the New Year. To download Freedom From Smoking ads/posters that feature Carol Burnett or to register for the free program, visit http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/ffs2002_ads.html.
CALIFORNIA QUIT-SMOKING SUCCESS STORY FEATURED ON DR. PHIL, JANUARY 5
A California volunteer who quit smoking through the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking online program was featured during a recent taping of the "Dr. Phil" show, which will air on Wednesday, January 5. Mim Drew had tried to quit many times before, but finally found success through the Freedom From Smoking program.
The segment focuses on addictions and is part of Dr. Phil's resolutions week. Dr. Phil mentioned the American Lung Association a number of times during the show.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
NEW LAW ENABLES CHILDREN TO CARRY ASTHMA INHALERS AT SCHOOL
Effective January 1, 2005, a new law will require California schools to let students carry their asthma inhalers with them and self-administer medications at the onset of an asthma attack. AB 2132 (Reyes, D-Fresno) authorizes students to carry and self-administer inhaled asthma medications if the school district has written permission from their health provider and parent or guardian.
The American Lung Association of California offers a sample letter for schools to use as part of their outreach to parents about the new law. For a copy of the letter, visit http://www.californialung.org/press/041229Asthma.html.
To further reduce the impact of asthma in the classroom, the American Lung Association of California worked with the California Department of Health Services, the California Department of Education and the California Asthma Public Health Initiative to release Guidelines for the Management of Asthma in California Schools. The new resource tool is available through the California School Nurses Organization at www.csno.org, the California Asthma Public Health Initiative at www.caasthma.org, and the CDHS Health Publications Information Finder at www.applications.dhs.ca.gov/healthpubfinder/.
For more information, contact Lynn Devine at 619.269.8148 or ldevine [at] alac [dot] org.
CAROL BURNETT AD/POSTER PROMOTES FREEDOM FROM SMOKING AT PRISON
As American Lung Associations across California promote the Freedom From Smoking program to those who want to kick their tobacco addiction for good this New Year, the California Department of Corrections is promoting the American Lung Association's quit-smoking program to inmates at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga.
A vocational instructor at the prison contacted the American Lung Association of California through its Web site and asked for the Carol Burnett ad/poster to promote the program because all state prisons are going smoke-free in 2005. The ad/poster is available to everyone for no charge at http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/ffs2002_ads.html.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
CHRIS GARVEY HONORED AS NATIONWIDE VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
American Lung Association of California volunteer and California Thoracic Society member Christine Garvey, FNP, MPA, CA-E, was recently recognized by the nationwide American Lung Association as Volunteer of the Week for her efforts on the frontline fighting lung disease. Concerned about the workforce shortages that affect hiring and delay patient access, she not only suggested developing a statewide respiratory therapist (RT) scholarship, she made it happen.
Garvey, who herself has asthma and chronic bronchitis, regularly speaks out on lung health issues on behalf of the American Lung Association of California and has been quoted in a variety of publications, including ADVANCE for Providers of Post-Acute Care, San Bernardino Sun, and Nurseweek Magazine.
For the full story, visit http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=238846.
NURSEWEEK ARTICLES ON ASTHMA FEATURE ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS
Two articles in recent issues of Nurseweek Magazine featured extensive quotes and information from American Lung Association volunteers and California Thoracic Society members, positioning the organizations as recognized leaders in lung health.
An article in the November 15 issue focused on changes in asthma management and featured quotes from volunteers Christine Garvey, FNP, MPA, CA-E, and Susan Janson, RN, DNSc, ANP, FAAN. The article also included the American Lung Association's nationwide Web site address and 800 number. To view the story, visit http://www.nurseweek.com/news/Features/04-11/AsthmaManagement.asp.
The December 13 issue included a story about how the rise of asthma is placing greater emphasis on the role of school nurses. It featured quotes from volunteer D.J. Kaley, RN, MSN, and suggested that "Despite statewide efforts by the American Lung Association and other local groups to promote better disease awareness, asthma continues to be one of the biggest health problems facing California schools." For the full story, visit http://www.nurseweek.com/news/Features/04-12/ChildhoodAsthma.asp.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
REDWOOD WARNS OF WINTER WOOD SMOKE POLLUTION
The American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch, launched a public service campaign to warn about the dangers of wood smoke. Due to the growing concern about air pollution caused by fireplaces, more than 30 cities in the Bay Area have adopted wood-burning ordinances. Air pollution from wood-burning fireplaces and stoves can be a serious health hazard for children and those suffering from asthma. Wood smoke from fireplaces is the largest stationary source of air pollution in the Bay Area during winter months.
Non-EPA approved wood stoves are among the biggest culprits in wood smoke pollution. Pre-1988 wood-burning stoves can produce up to 60 grams of particulate emissions in one hour. That compares to 6 grams for EPA-approved wood stoves, and .07 grams for natural gas-fueled devices.
For more information, contact Jenny Bard at 707.527.5864 or jbard [at] alac [dot] org.
SAN DIEGO COALITION GRADES AREA COLLEGES ON TOBACCO POLICIES
Recognizing that the campus environment can encourage or discourage young adults' tobacco use, the Tobacco-Free Communities Coalition in San Diego released a report grading the strength of tobacco-free policies at 13 area colleges and universities. More than half received F grades.
The Report Card, a first for campuses in California, was created by the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties in partnership with the Coalition. The grades were nearly five years in the making and included communications with college administrators and student groups to establish more than two dozen grading criteria.
For more information, visit http://lungsandiego.org/tobacco/press_college_release_2004.asp and/or contact Debbie Kelley at 619.297.3901, debbie [at] lungsandiego [dot] org.
CALIFORNIA THORACIC SOCIETY HOLDS ANNUAL CONFERNECE
The California Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians-California Chapter are offering their annual Current Controversies in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Conference, February 3 through February 5, in Carmel. Continuing education credits are available.
Sessions include: New Modes of Mechanical Ventilation; Recent Controversies in Asthma-Bench to Bedside; Work of Breathing: Why Should You Care?; Master Clinicians-Faculty Discussion of Attendees Cases; Do Environmental Exposures Really Matter?; Indications for Non-Invasive Ventilation in Childhood and Adolescence; Turning from Life-Sustaining Treatment to Comfort Care: Ethical Reasoning and Ethical Actions; Clinical Controversies Pro and Con: Spirometry as a Primary Screening Tool for Lung Disease.
For more information, visit http://www.thoracic.org/chapters/california/ and/or contact Colleen Richardson at 714.730.1944 or ctslung [at] aol [dot] com.
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