Philadelphia- August 2024- Experts from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Health Equity, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and the School District of Philadelphia gathered at a community health partnership clinic and back-to-school event at the Church of Compassion CDC in Philadelphia to provide local families resources, supplies and asthma care information for a successful school year.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood and the primary reason that children miss school, go to emergency rooms and are admitted to hospitals. Asthma affects an estimated 5 million American children. In Philadelphia, one in 4 children has asthma.

“Asthma causes swelling, mucous production and squeezing of the airways. With the right medication, and an asthma care plan, we can control those airway changes,” said Tyra Bryant-Stephens, M.D. AVP, Chief Health Equity Officer and Director and Founder of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at CHOP. “We are seeing an increase in Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations from children experiencing severe asthma attacks. These are completely preventable, and we want to ensure that all children are prepared to have a successful, and healthy, school year.”

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“The Philadelphia Health Department wants you to know that there are steps parents can take to keep a child’s asthma controlled, especially during back-to-school time. If your child is prescribed a controller medicine, make sure they take it every day, even if they don’t feel sick. The goal of this type of medicine is to prevent asthma attacks so it should be taken daily.” said Stacy Kallum, Director, the Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “We also suggest removing common asthma triggers from the home; this could mean not allowing any smoking inside, using dust-proof covers on mattresses and pillows, washing stuffed animals.”

“Make an appointment before school begins to prepare for a successful year with asthma., and discuss any concerns with your doctor or nurse,” said Daniel R. Taylor, D.O., FAAP, FACOP, Director Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. “Sometimes it is difficult to get asthma medication prescribed. When that happens let your asthma doctor/practitioner know about it immediately.”

CHOP’s Center for Health Equity and Community of Compassion CDC jointly hosted the 3rd Back-to-School Community Health Partnership Clinic to help families prepare for a successful school year! At the event, CHOP gave away backpacks filled with school supplies, provided sports physicals, dental screenings and haircuts for children, and offered free sports equipment, books and library cards on site. Community partners offered resources including after-school program information and emergency response trainings.