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Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Recognizes May as Asthma Awareness Month

By DOH Miami-Dade

April 21, 2015

                                                                                                                  
                                                           Contact: Olga Connor                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                     Rosa Oses-Prealoni             
                                                                                                                                 (786) 336-1276
                                                                                                   olga.connor@flhealth.gov
                                                                                                    rosa.oses@flhealth.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2015
 
                                                                       
Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Recognizes
May as Asthma Awareness Month
 
MIAMI - The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes May as Asthma Awareness Month along with May 6 as World Asthma Day.
 
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs and continues to be a serious public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 25.7 million people, including 7 million children, have asthma.
 
Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs and if not well managed can result in repeated episodes of coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, loss of sleep and even death. Individuals can manage their asthma by knowing what may trigger an asthma attack and the physical warning signs of an attack. Common triggers include second-hand smoke, mold, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, pollen, strong odors, colds and flu, and in some instances exercise, stress, cold air and certain foods. When asthma sufferers know their triggers, they are able to avoid these elements and reduce the likelihood of an attack.
 
Although asthma cannot be cured, it is critical to take the necessary steps to reduce asthma attacks. Successful management includes knowing the warning signs of attack, avoiding things that may trigger an episode and following the advice of your healthcare provider.
 
“Asthma affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Every person with asthma should have a timely diagnosis, receive appropriate treatment, learn to manage their own asthma, and reduce exposure to environmental factors that make asthma worse,” said Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County.
 
Approximately one in 12 children and one in 14 adults have asthma.  In 2013, the total charges related to just emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to asthma exceeded $181 million in Miami-Dade County.  In 2013, there were 14,044 emergency department visits and 3,747 hospitalizations with asthma listed as the primary diagnosis in Miami-Dade County.
 
 
 
 
In support of Asthma Awareness Month, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County’s Healthy Homes & Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (HHLPPP) has joined forces with the Florida Asthma Coalition,American Lung Association in Florida and South Florida Asthma Consortium to host an event on May 28, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at 8600 N.W. 17th Street, Suite 200 (Large Conference Room), Doral, FL 33126, to increase asthma awareness.  
 
Throughout the month, four childcare centers Centro Hispano Catolico, Holy Redeemer, Notre Dame and Good Shepherd Child Development Centers will be providing training in asthma management and taking other actions to create a healthy environment earning them an Asthma-Friendly Childcare Center certificate. Also, asthma related educational materials will be distributed and asthma education will be provided to the parents/guardians at different health centers.
 
Further information regarding asthma awareness can be found at the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County’s website www.miamidade.floridahealth.govor by calling 305-470-6877.
 
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The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
 
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                           
 
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