FACTS
Asthma ranks among the most common chronic conditions in the United States and Indiana.
An estimated 435,000 adults in Indiana reported having asthma in 2009.
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Hospitalization and Emergency Room Visits
In Indiana there were more than 31,000 emergency room visits related to asthma in 2009 – an increase of nearly 3,000 (9.8%) from 2008.
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Nearly 9,100 of Indiana hospitalizations were recorded due to asthma in 2009, which increased by 6.6 percent from 2008.
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Disparities
Within the general population, asthma affects women more than men; however, among children, it affects males more than females. The burden of asthma has been increasing over the past 20 years, especially among children and certain minority populations.
Children younger than 5 and adults 65 and older have higher hospitalization rates for asthma compared to other age groups.
“ Children must be healthy to be educated and must be educated to be healthy. ”Carol Price, Director of HCCCC
Asthma Education
An Inside Look at Asthma
Asthma causes airways to become narrow and swollen making breathing difficult. The most common asthma signs and symptoms are coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma may be at risk of a life‐threatening asthma attack.
Asthma attacks may be triggered by: pet hair, dust, changes in the weather, chemical in the air or food, exercise, mold, pollen, respiratory infections, stress, and tobacco smoke. It is important for those with asthma to avoid these triggers.
A Hands-On Approach to Asthma Education
Children learn about their own lungs when they can see and feel the lungs of Radical Randy the asthma teaching tool.
Happy Hollow
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Happy Hollow has offered a high quality residential Asthma Camp for over 20 years. This session is staffed by over 20 medical volunteers ranging from doctors, respiratory therapists, nurses, and pharmacists.
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The goal of this camp is to educate children with asthma on how to remain active while controlling their medical condition. The camp is the only residential asthma camp in Indiana. This session is available for children currently living with mild to severe asthma between the ages of 7 and 14. Fees for this camp are need based and is very affordable. Many children return year after year.
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For more information visit the Happy Hollow Website.
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Happy Hollow camp is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. For information on camp "Eeze the Wheeze" located in Kokomo, IN and camp "Not A Gonna Wheze" in Evansville, IN visit The Consortium of Children's Asthma Camps.
References
1."Publications." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2011. <http://www.injac.org/advocate-resources/resources/publication
2."Asthma Fast Facts." Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Asthma Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2011. <www.cdc.gov/asthma/pdfs/asth
3."Asthma - PubMed Health." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011. Asthma - PubMed Health. National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001196/
