National Lieutenant Governors As

National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA)

71 Cavalier Blvd. Ste. 124 Florence, KY 41042

T: (859) 283-1400 F: (859) 244-8001

Helping Americans Breathe Easier

60-Day Report

Helping Americans Breathe Easier is a NLGA public education and awareness campaign which aims to engage doctors, parents, schools and health departments. The campaign was conceived in March and materials were made available to participating NLGA members about May 1, 2007, for Worldwide Asthma Awareness Day. This is a report of the first 60-days of activity by NLGA and its members.

The tally of results to date:

Four asthma proclamations - in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Guam.
Work featuring one Department of Health, and three hospitals and clinics.
Partnerships with a dozen other associations and groups, ranging from state chapters of the American Lung Association to the Wisconsin Children's Network and the Illinois High School Association
Personal meetings with and direct mailers to more than 150 medical doctors and allergy specialists
Coverage by media outlets ranging from the Associated Press to ESPN 1000 Radio in Chicago, expanding even more the reach of these messages
Policy results have included the issuance by Virginia of the state’s first published comprehensive asthma report, a statement by the Iowa Lt. Governor that E-85 fuel will assist with breathable air, and the specific inclusion of asthma in the June 20, 2007, Health Disparities Report issued in Delaware and co-chaired by that state’s lieutenant governor.
Provided assistance to launch and promote two web sites – the Winning with Asthma Illinois coaches site, and the Western Pennsylvania American Respiratory Alliance interactive site

The work has covered four of the top ten most difficult cities to live in with asthma.

Specifically, the state by state breakdown looks like this:

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling appeared with the state’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the State Health Commissioner, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The state’s first comprehensive asthma report showed an increase in the overall number of asthma cases, but a decrease in asthma deaths. They also noted a 58% increase in the cost of asthma related hospitalizations from 1999 -2004.

Virginia Asthma Report

In Pennsylvania, Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll appeared at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital with Dr. Jonathan Finder, clinical director of pulmonary medicine. Likewise, Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn shared asthma materials with Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, IL.
In Wisconsin, Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and Milwaukee State Representative Josh Zepnick appeared at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center in Milwaukee, with Dr. Asriani Chiu, a prominent Milwaukee allergist
In Illinois, a Chicago Public Schools survey showed that 65% of their coaches had never been trained in asthma awareness. So, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed May 1, 2007, “Winning with Asthma” Day and he promoted the online program that will train physical education teachers and coaches in asthma management. Used in schools in Utah and Minnesota, the “Winning with Asthma” program was created so coaches could learn about asthma, how it affects an athlete's ability to compete, and how the coach can help athletes manage their symptoms while playing their best. This appearance and access to the training was a cooperative effort of several Chicago area associations, the Illinois High School Association and more. Likewise, Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll is working to bring attention to the new web site of the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania which features 400 interactive Q&A sessions on asthma.
This month, former nurse and Lt. Governor Patty Judge of Iowa will participate in Asthma Action Camps. She issued an asthma proclamation in May and has created her own Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living.
Asthma children’s books were given to metropolitan Kansas libraries including Wichita which is on the 50 worst cities to live with asthma list. And, in Delaware, Lt. Governor John C. Carney released, as co-chair, a health disparities report on June 20, 2007. It specifically includes statistics on asthma.