Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. EPA is committed to educating all Americans about asthma so that everyone knows what asthma is, how the environment can affect asthma patients and how to manage environmental asthma triggers.  Learn more about factors found in the indoor and outdoor environment that can cause, trigger, or exacerbate asthma symptoms and what you can do to reduce their impact. You might be surprised by the list of common environmental asthma triggers and how simple it can be to eliminate them from your environment.

News

National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management: Each year, EPA honors the best in comprehensive asthma programs. Winners of this prestigious award are recognized for their outstanding leadership and effective programming that improves health outcomes for people living with asthma. Learn more about the National Awards Program. Apply today, the application deadline is March 16, 2010.

Join the Online Community Network Communities in Action for Asthma-Friendly Environments Online Network is a year-round resource for mentoring and collaboration designed to support your asthma management program. Access cutting-edge tools that facilitate collaboration, problem solving, and learning between leaders of asthma programs. Learn more about and join the Online Community Network Find information on Webinars; Discussion Forums; National Locator; Action Strategies; Pacing Events; Tools; and Recognitions Opportunities.

National Asthma Forum Community leaders from across the nation are meeting to share best practices and discuss effective strategies for managing asthma and improving health outcomes for people with asthma in your community. This year's National Asthma Forum is June 17 - 18, 2010 in Washington, DC Learn more about the Forum Each year, EPA honors the best in comprehensive asthma programs who are recognized for their outstanding leadership and effective programming that improves health outcomes for people living with asthma. Learn more about the Leaderships Awards

May is Asthma Awareness Month Take Action During Asthma Awareness Month Join in the national effort to raise awareness about asthma. Learn more about how to host activities to educate people in your community about comprehensive asthma management. Find tools and read about new ideas for outreach and awareness activities. Get tips for working with the media, success stories, and much more.  Learn more about Asthma Awareness Month | World Asthma Day is Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Features

EPA-Funded Study Finds Key Elements of Successful Asthma Programs: EPA and the University of Michigan Asthma Health Outcomes Project (AHOP), an international study of over 400 asthma programs is one of the most wide-reaching assessments to date. The study found that asthma programs that address environmental triggers work best to improve health outcomes such as reduced emergency room visits, improved quality of life, and fewer missed days of school.  Learn More 

Native American Asthma Radio Campaign: Native American Children Ask for Your Help to Fight Asthma Attacks. Order and promote this asthma radio campaign for your area. Go to www.epapsa.com to listen to and order this radio campaign. Learn more about EPA's IAQ Tribal Partners Program

El medio ambiente y su salud: Asma

EPA Seeks Applications for Environmental Community Grants

Is your community committed to reducing toxic pollution in its local environment? If so, you may be a good candidate for an environmental community grant. The U.S. EPA is making $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Learn more about these grants and how your community can apply.