B| D)/E) = LF G H ren's ealth Asthma And Allergy Essentials For Child Care Providers (NAPSA)—Edueating child care providers about asthma and allergies may help create a safer and healthier environment for manychildren. During the last 20 years, asthma has become the second most chronic illness in childhood. Between 1980 and 1994, there was a 160 percent surge in asthma cases amongchildren ages 4 and under. More than one million of these children are in child care while their parents work. Without national standards for asthma and allergy education or training for child care providers, many of these children may be in environments with child care providers who are inadequately prepared to care for their asthma and allergies or may be denied access to child care because of their asthma and allergies. In response to this concern, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has been working with the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) for the past two years to expand the reach of the Asthma and Allergy Essentials for Child Care Providers’ program. The course, developed in 1994 by the AAFA Maryland-Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter educates child care providers in the care of children with asthma and allergic diseases by demonstrating ways to create a safe and healthy child care environment. The course gives child care providers the tools and knowledge Over one million children with asthma and allergies are in a child care setting while their parents work. they need to care for children with asthma and allergies and provide a safe and healthy environment for children with these chronic conditions. The course is taught by health educators, registered nurses, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and other health professionals and conforms to national guidelines. Whenchild care providers complete the course they receive a certificate of completion. Parents and caregivers can mail a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to AAFA to receive a Child Care Asthma/ Allergy Action Card or they can downloadit free from AAFA’s Web site, www.aafa.org or they can call 800-7-ASTHMA for additional information. wwe e nee ene nnn nnn nnn OE a nnn nee n ne eee eee Editor’s Note: May is Allergy and Asthma Month.
