Florida Asthma Prevention and Control Program
ASTHMA PROGRAM LINKS
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, or long-term, lung disease. Asthma causes breathing
problems and can be life threatening. There is no cure for asthma but it can be
prevented and controlled with proper care. People with asthma can live a normal
and active life.
Symptoms of an asthma attack can be difficulty with breathing, a tight feeling
in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma can develop quickly and it can
range from being a mild discomfort to a life threatening attack if breathing
stops completely. Asthma problems are often separated by symptom-free periods.
Find out more about asthma by reading the CDC's "Basic Facts about Asthma",
which includes details on the following topics:
Collaborating to Control Asthma:
Improving Quality of Life and Reducing Costs
Asthma is a very common chronic disease that occurs in all age groups. However, asthma is more common and more severe among children; women; low-income,
inner-city residents; and African American and Puerto Rican communities. Both morbidity and mortality from asthma are significant. In addition to considerable
impacts on quality of life, the economic cost of asthma is sizeable. Costs including direct medical costs (such as hospital admissions and the cost of pharmaceuticals)
and indirect costs (such as time lost from work, school absenteeism, and premature death), are borne by individuals, the health care system, and schools.
Resources for Asthma Management
Families, communities, schools, childcare centers, health plans, health care providers, hospitals, and others must work together to improve asthma outcomes. This site is designed to help various partners implementing asthma management programs.
The Florida Asthma Coalition
The Florida Asthma Coalition (FAC) is a statewide coalition that was established in 2010 to eliminate asthma disparities, improve quality of life, and reduce costs. Active FAC members work to implement a five year strategic plan called the
Florida
Asthma Plan 2009-2014. Associate FAC members receive information and updates on FAC activities via e-mail news letters and other communication. We hope you will consider
joining our efforts!
Local Asthma Coalitions
There are several local / regional coalitions in Florida working to improve
asthma outcomes within their jurisdictions. Find out about partners in your
community!
Florida Asthma Prevention and Control Program
The Florida Asthma Prevention and Control Program coordinates
statewide efforts to improve asthma outcomes and reduce
disparities. The program, established in 2009, is 100% federally
funded under a cooperative agreement with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. The goals of the program are to
increase the number of individuals with asthma who receive
self-management education and to reduce the number of deaths,
hospitalizations, emergency department visits, school or work
days missed, and limitations on activity due to asthma. The
program facilitates the Florida Asthma Coalition, conducts
asthma surveillance, program evaluation, and works specifically
to increase the number of childcare centers, schools, and
hospitals that implement asthma management programs. Three
separate peer networks (sometimes called communities of
practice) are being established to facilitate the sharing of
strategies amongst childcare center managers, school
administrators, and hospital staff. Evidence has shown that
training combined with peer support is an effective way to
engage new partners and establish sustainable systems.
Julie Dudley
Florida Asthma Program Manager
850.245.4444 ext. 2869
Jamie Forrest, MS
Asthma Epidemiologist
850.245.4444 ext. 2998
