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Wisconsin Asthma Plan 2009-2014

An updated blueprint for addressing asthma in Wisconsin created by the Wisconsin Asthma Coalition.
View full plan.
View executive summary.

Business case

Asthma: A Business Case for Employers and Health Care Purchasers - Three employer/purchaser strategies that hold promise for cost-effectively bringing asthma under control.
Asthma ROI Calculator - Explores potential financial returns from quality improvement and asthma disease management programs.
Insurance coverage for asthma – A value and quality checklist for purchasers of health care.
Investing in Best Practices for Asthma: A Business Case for Education and Environmental Interventions - Published by the Asthma Regional Council of New England.
The Role of Pest Control in Effective Asthma Management: A business case - Geared toward the healthcare industry. Published by the Asthma Regional Council of New England.

Clinical tools

Air Quality Information for Health Professionals – Information to assist in educating patients, students and clients on how air quality can affect health.
Asthma Coding, Billing and Reimbursement - Guidelines and information.
Asthma Control Test - Two tests available: one for Ages 4-11 and one for Ages 12 and over to gauge if asthma is in control.
Asthma Medication Card - Quick reference put together by the University of Michigan Health System.
Certified Asthma Educators – List of Wisconsin Asthma Coalition certified asthma educators willing to serve as an informational resource and mentor those preparing for the national asthma certification exam.
Children's Health Survey for Asthma - self-report measure completed by parents of children with chronic asthma between the ages of 5 and 16.
Cultural Competency Review Tool - Evaluates asthma educational materials for cultural competency.
Depression screening tool - Use the validated two-question Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ2) as an initial assessment for depression. If a patient answers “yes” to either question, follow-up using the nine-question tool (PHQ9).
Electronic Asthma Action Plans - Age-specific plans providing drop down menus for age-appropriate medication and dosages and places for comments.
Implementing An Asthma Home Visit Program: 10 Steps to Help Health Plans Get Started - Shares the experiences of seven health care organizations offering asthma home visit programs.
Interactive Asthma Action Plan – Includes consent forms, online and desktop versions and information to order paper copies. Your own logo can be added.
Prescription Assistance Programs for Patients with Asthma - Outlines prescription assistance programs to aid in the cost of specific asthma medications.
Self-Tests for Adults and Children - Includes quality of life and asthma self-tests for children and adults. Available in English and Spanish.
Survey identifies barriers to AE-C recertification – Survey assessed the value of asthma educator certification and if certified asthma educators (AE-C) intend to recertify.

Clinical tools for pharmacists

Asthma Care Fax - Tool for pharmacists to notify healthcare providers when a patient is excessively using short-acting beta agonist (updated July 2008). How to use the Asthma Care Fax.
Pharmacist toolkit: Caring for patients with asthma – Presentation by Erika Horstmann, PharmD, RPh, discusses pharmacists interventions related to validated asthma care.

The Coulee Region Community Pharmacy Asthma Intervention Study - Shows Asthma Care Fax is helpful to health care professionals in making clinical decisions - published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (November/December, 2006).
The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition partners with pharmacists – WAC is featured in the March/April 2010 issue of the Journal of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin.

Clinical tools for physicians and other prescribing clinicians

AsmaPro – Diagnostic tool for clinicians dealing with asthma in the workplace. Over 70 occupational asthma cases, which can be retrieved by case ID, agent or by patient’s job.
Asthma Focused Follow-up Visit – Pathway for completing an asthma follow-up visit with patient. Contact Kristen Grimes to have your clinic information incorporated into the document.
Asthma Inhaler Medication Form - Authorization form for students to carry their asthma inhaler at school.

Diagnosis and Management of Work-Related Asthma, American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Statement - Includes updated definition of work-related asthma, diagnosis and management. Published in Chest 2008.
EQIPP: Diagnosing and managing asthma in pediatrics – online CME program to help participants create a plan for improvement to address gaps they identified in their practice.

Guidance for health care providers who prescribe emergency medications – Recommendations for when medical providers and parents authorize students with asthma or allergies to carry their emergency medications at school.

Cultural competency

Cultural competence policies and other predictors of asthma care quality for Medicaid-insured children – Study looked at practice-site policies and features associated with quality of care, Pediatrics, 2004.
Cultural Competency Review Tool - Evaluates asthma educational materials for cultural competency.

Cultural Competence Tool White Paper - Discusses the creation and purpose of the Cultural Competence Tool created by the WAC Disparities Workgroup.
Leave no asthmatic child behind: the cultural competency of asthma educational materials – Results of the review of asthma educational materials for cultural competence. Published in Ethnicity and Disease, 2007.

Environment-indoor

Allergens and irritants – Provides information and prevention strategies to reduce exposure.
Asthma and allergy certification standards - Provides allergen avoidance plan and certified asthma and allergy friendly products.
Care for Your Air tour – Identifies potential key pollutants in the home and how to address them.
Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety - Teaches consumers how to control pests in and around the home including how to safely select, use, store and dispose of pesticides.

Controlling Asthma in the Home: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants - Brochure on asthma basics and how to control asthma triggers. Spanish version. Hmong version.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Wisconsin Homes - This report examines the trends and health effects associated with secondhand smoke.
Healthy homes assessment form - one-page assessment form to be used by non-environmental health staff during a home visit.

Healthy Homes Checklist – action steps to take in each room and area of the home.
Healthy Homes Contractors – Provides assistance in locating a consultant or contractor to help maintain a safe and healthy home.
Healthy homes poster – use this poster to initiate conversation regarding home health hazards.

Housing Interventions and Health: A Review of the Evidence - Documents the housing and neighborhood improvements that are scientifically proven to improve health and safety.

How Asthma-Friendly is Your Child-Care Setting? Seven-item list that can be used by parents, teachers, and school nurses to help pinpoint specific areas that may cause problems for children with asthma.
Indoor AIRepair™ - Explores the connection between indoor air quality and asthma. Offers low- and no-cost solutions for home, school and play.
Indoor allergens – Discusses common allergens and steps to reduce exposure.
Kenosha County Healthy Homes Initiative – Free indoor assessment and materials to reduce allergy triggers for residents of Kenosha County. Request more information.
Mold - Provides information on mold and health including assessment, cleanup and prevention.
National childhood asthma media campaign - Series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) designed to inform parents and caretakers of children living with asthma.
Nitrogen Dioxide – Provides steps to reduce exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide.
Pet allergy – Information on the effects for those allergic to pets and how to reduce exposure.
Toxic mold – describes how to identify toxic mold and reduction strategies.

Environment-outdoor

AIRNow – Provides easy access to national air quality information.
Air Quality Information for Health Professionals – Information to assist in educating patients, students and clients on how air quality can affect health.
Environmental Public Health Tracking – Ongoing surveillance and analysis of environmental hazards and disease data.
Hidden Health Costs of Transportation – report summarizing the cost of transportation with regard to health and recommendations for future transportation policy and investment.
Mobile source emissions – Information on air pollution from vehicles, engines and other machines that move.
Outdoor allergens - Discusses common allergens and steps to reduce exposure.
Outdoor wood boilers - Guidance for local government and public health officials on use and regulation.
Wisconsin air quality notices – Sign-up for air quality notices, view current air quality and identify ways that you can help.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Download free resources from the DNR on outdoor air quality and how it affects health.

Family support

Asthma and the role of air pollution: What the primary care physician should know – Discusses the link between asthma and air pollution, ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulates. Includes a section on what physicians can do.
Asthma Triggers and Management - You can minimize your symptoms and improve your quality of life by avoiding your asthma triggers and working with your doctor to develop a treatment plan.
Attack asthma – Provides information about asthma, preventing attacks, asthma action plans and a section specific for kids.
Breathe easy during allergy season – Provides steps to prevent severe reactions to seasonal allergens.
Certified Asthma Educators – List of Wisconsin Asthma Coalition certified asthma educators willing to serve as an informational resource and mentor those preparing for the national asthma certification exam.
Free/low cost clinics in the Milwaukee area – includes clinic location, phone number and hours.
Health clinics in Wisconsin – organized by federally qualified health centers, free clinics, rural health centers, tribal health centers and low or no cost dentists.
Healthy Homes Contractors – Provides assistance in locating a consultant or contractor to help maintain a safe and healthy home.

Lung Help Line 1-800-548-8252. Staffed by registered nurses and respiratory therapists with extensive experience in the health care industry.
Prescription Assistance Programs for Patients with Asthma - Outlines prescription assistance programs to aid in the cost of specific asthma medications.
Prevention of allergies and asthma in children – Provides steps that may delay or possibly prevent allergies or asthma from developing.
Primary care clinics in Wisconsin – includes clinic location, phone, Web site, eligibility and other details.

General asthma information

America's Asthma Health Guide™: Personal pocket-sized booklet Teaches adults and children about asthma, its triggers and treatments.
Attack asthma public service announcements – Television, radio and print ads free for download and use.
CDC Asthma Speaker’s Kit for Healthcare Professionals - 62-slide presentation depicts the pathophysiology of asthma; prevalence, mortality, and morbidity measures at the national level; risk factors; medical management; and the public health response needed to successfully fight asthma.
Diseases and Conditions Index: Asthma: This index on the NHLBI Web site offers quick and easy access to information about asthma, including graphics and interactive quizzes.

Pedipress - Download free asthma tools for professionals and patients.

Guidelines

Partners Putting Guidelines into Action – Includes six priority messages that come out of EPR-3 and ways that they may be implemented.

Health disparities

Healthy Communities Matter: The Importance of Place to the Health of Boys of Color – Report highlighting how neighborhoods where African-American and Latino boys and young men grow up directly influence their health outcomes.
Wisconsin Minority Health Program - Provides information on data, resources and programs.

Just for kids

“A” is for Asthma – An online Sesame Street workshop providing steps for controlling a child’s asthma.
Asthma funbook – Includes crossword puzzle, maze, connect-the-dots, coloring page and seek-and-find.
Dusty The Asthma Goldfish and His Asthma Triggers funbook – Helps children and parents learn about asthma in a fun way.
English. Spanish.
Just for kids - Games, puzzles, videos and more to help you learn about managing your allergies and asthma.
Kids’ Health - Asthma: Online resources for kids with asthma. Includes text, video, stories and tools.
Live, Learn, Play - Tune into Your Health and Environment - Book for teens to learn about environmental health issues.
Quest for the Code - video game to help children and teens learn how to manage their asthma.

Policy

Anti-idling policies and children’s health – fact sheet on how to protect students from diesel exhaust.
Asthma Inhaler Law - Public school students have the right to self-carry their rescue inhaler on their person.
Asthma Inhaler Law Expansion - Expanded to include private and charter schools.
Changing pO2licy: The Elements for Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes – Published by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
Reduction in Asthma-Related Emergency Department Visits After Implementation of a Smoke-Free Law – Published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Sept. 2008. View abstract.
State Laws Related to Healthy Homes – Links to state laws on landlord/tenant, housing/maintenance, health, mold, etc.
Wisconsin is a healthier place thanks to the Wisconsin smoke-free law. Workers and customers can now breathe cleaner air. Report a violation.

Schools

American Academy of Pediatrics: Schooled in Asthma - Download asthma history form, action plan, school authorization form, dear doctor letter for school nurses and asthma encounter form.
Anti-idling policies and children’s health – fact sheet on how to protect students from diesel exhaust.
Asthma Inhaler Law - Public school students have the right to self-carry their rescue inhaler on their person.
Asthma Inhaler Medication Form - Authorization form for students to carry their asthma inhaler at school.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools - comprehensive resource to help schools identify, correct and prevent IAQ problems.
Indoor AIRepair™ - Explores the connection between indoor air quality and asthma. Offers low- and no-cost solutions for home, school and play.
Integrated Pest Management in Schools – A strategic plan to reduce pest and pesticide-related hazards to children in the U.S. public schools by 2015.
Michigan Healthy Schools Guide – Includes information on school bus idling reduction and pest management.
Minnesota School Walkthrough Program – Low to no-cost program to address environmental triggers. School building and district form. Room-by-room checklist. Sample report.
School Asthma Training Videos - six short "rich media" presentations designed for various school staff.
lVirtual school indoor air quality (IAQ) tour – Provides information on how IAQ impacts health, to maximize fresh air and minimize pollutants to create a healthier school.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Education Programs - Activities, videos, guides and posters available for schools and classrooms.
Wisconsin’s Green and Healthy Schools Program.
Working With Schools to Improve Pediatric Asthma Management - Provides guidance for asthma care clinicians on how to enhance school-based asthma management.

Statistics

Burden of Asthma in Wisconsin 2007 - Comprehensive statistical report about asthma in Wisconsin.
Environmental Public Health Tracking – Ongoing surveillance and analysis of environmental hazards and disease data.
The State of Childhood Asthma, United States, 1980-2005 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistical report.
Work-Related Asthma in Wisconsin - Statistical report about asthma related to the workplace.
Work-Related Asthma Union Survey Report - Results of Wisconsin union asthma survey.