RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF

“HELPING AMERICANS BREATHE EASIER - WINNING WITH ASTHMA”

WHEREAS, asthma is a lung disease which can be life-threatening, which is chronic, which has no preventative measures and no cure, and which can significantly impact the quality of life of those it affects, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and 

WHEREAS, 19.8-million American people were currently diagnosed with asthma, which represents 7.2 % of all non-institutionalized adults and 6.5-million children (8.9% of all children), according to a 2005 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, and     

WHEREAS, the CDC and EPA report asthma accounted for 1.9-million emergency room visits, 484,000 hospitalizations, and 4,261 deaths in 2002, and for 14-million missed school days and costs totaling $14-billion in 2002 (health care costs and lost productivity), and     

WHEREAS, medical experts, the CDC, the EPA, and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute agree asthma can be controlled by following a structured medical management plan which includes consultation and follow-up with medical providers, appropriate use of medications, avoidance of ‘triggers’ for asthma attack, and monitoring of certain physical conditions and readings, and

WHEREAS, individuals with controlled asthma can lead quality, productive lives, and

WHEREAS, the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) in 2007 engaged in asthma awareness activity and the Illinois lieutenant governor led an expansion of the “Winning with Asthma” program, and

WHEREAS, “Winning with Asthma” is a 24/7 online asthma training program aimed at coaches, funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and originated by the Departments of Health in Utah and Minnesota, which has already trained more than 8,000 coaches on asthma, and

WHEREAS, on a sports team of 15 persons, one athlete will have asthma, which may be undiagnosed, according to the program, and

WHEREAS, coaches in states or areas who are active partners in “Winning with Asthma” may receive certificates of completion, an asthma coaches clipboard, and an educational booklet upon completion of the online training, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with evidence that education of the public and leaders, such as coaches, can lead to a reduction in death, reduction in emergency medical costs, and a reduction in lost educational time and overall productivity, NLGA is engaged to become a one-year partner with “Winning with Asthma,” and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, NLGA seeks to make training available for up to 6,000 coaches in four to seven states through June of 2009, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, NLGA will promote and track this effort through a web page to be established no later than May 6, 2008, which is World Asthma Day.

As passed March 13, 2008.

Sponsors:

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois

Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, Utah

Co-Sponsors:

Lt. Governor Barbara O’ Brien, Colorado
Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, Montana                

Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Massachusetts
Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Iowa

Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, Vermont

Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki, Nevada

Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Wisconsin
Lt. Governor John Carney, Delaware