Back to School with Asthma: Tools to Keep Ohio Kids Safe in the Classroom

The start of a new school year can bring a series of challenges for not only families but school systems too. As schools across Ohio prepare to welcome students back this fall the American Lung Association reminds parents and nurses about the dangers of asthma.

More than 163,000 children in Ohio are currently living with asthma, but with the proper support, kids can live fulfilling lives. Thanks to generous funding from the Reid Wiley Charitable Foundation, the American Lung Association is providing free resources to school-based health professionals and families in Ohio including an Asthma Flipchart, Back-to-School Backpack program and much more.

Glenn and Mary Wiley created the Reid Wiley Charitable Foundation after losing their son Reid to complications from asthma in December of 2020. Reid was an active athlete and was diagnosed with asthma at a very early age. Despite the asthma making it difficult to breathe, Reid went on to play college hockey for the University of Akron.

Parents and school nurses are urged to visit AsthmaOhio.org for the free resources and to raise awareness about the impact asthma has across the state, as well as what they can do to help to improve the quality of life for kids across Ohio, especially for families in high-burden communities.

Ohio school-based health professionals, like school nurses, have access to free asthma resources and training, including:

• Controlling Asthma: What You Need to Know Flipchart: A tool that helps professionals teach school-aged youth how to better manage their asthma.
• Training in Open Airways for Schools (OAS), Asthma Educator Institute (AEI) and Kickin’ Asthma (KA).
• School stipends to receive Emergency Stock Asthma Medication.
• A back-to-school backpack program to provide school supplies and education around asthma management and control. 

 
It can all be accessed easily on our website at AsthmaOhio.org.

For interview requests, contact Janye Killelea at Janye.Killelea@Lung.org or 312-940-7624.