RESPONSE TO 400% EPIPEN® PRICE INCREASE

ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, ST. LOUIS CHAPTER
ISSUES RESPONSE TO 400% EPIPEN® PRICE INCREASE

ST. LOUIS, MO – With the steady increase in food allergies nationwide, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation ofAmerica, St. Louis Chapter (AAFA-STL) is expressing deep concern over the 400% increase in the cost of a popular epinephrine auto-injector.  EpiPen® is the predominantly-prescribed epinephrine auto-injector on the market, which can thwart serious allergic reactions when injected into the thigh.  AAFA-STL reports that 1 in 5 of the client families served this year have indicated a medical need for the medicine.

“With the sharp price surge for this life-saving medication, we have a growing concern for our client families and the allergy community at large,” said Joy Krieger, Executive Director, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter.  “Food allergies are now the #1 health concern from school nurses in Missouri; while public schools have access to free EpiPens® through 2016, families undeniably need to be equipped with the medicine outside of the school setting.” 

A current petition to Congress addressing the EpiPen® price increase, which AAFA-STL supports, can be found at http://www.petition2congress.com/20720/stop-epipen-price-gouging/.

About Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter
With 35 years of service to the St. Louis community, AAFA-STL continues to help local underserved and uninsured children with their asthma and allergy medications, educates families, schools, and nurses about these conditions, and advocates for policies that will keep our community healthy. The organization is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and Variety the Children’s Charity.

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AAFA-STL's Joy Krieger Speaks at "Every Student, Every Day" Conference; Addresses Asthma and Chronic Absenteeism

Asthma is the #1 health condition that accounts for missed school days.  In response to a recent article on absenteeism in schools in the region from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Not in class: Chronic absenteeism a problem throughout region's schools, June 22, 2016), it is imperative to understand that this chronic (yet manageable) disease is an underlying cause for thousands of hours of missed school.

In addition to being the #1 health-related reason for missed school, asthma rates are two times the national average in St. Louis, and asthma is the #1 reason kids visit the ER and go to the hospital. Community efforts to combat these trends are strong and numerous, with organizations like the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter (AAFA-STL) working diligently to address the problem head-on, through legislative action and direct services to the community.  In fact, the organization just presented alongside Department of Health and Senior Services at a Washington D.C. conference directed at interventions put into place to combat chronic absenteeism across the country.

Missouri was FIRST in the country to pass legislation (HB 1188 in 2012) which authorizes a school nurse/other trained employee to stock and administer life-saving asthma rescue medicine to any child experiencing an asthma emergency in the school setting, and is currently just one of four states to pass such a law. Because of this, AAFA-STL's RESCUE program has seen a sizable increase in the number of schools served in the area, by providing assistance with asthma rescue medicine, durable medical equipment, education and support.  In fact, over the past two years, 82.4% of kids who were treated with a piece of asthma equipment provided by AAFA-STL (in the school setting)  were able to return to the classroom. 

Although the treatment of asthma is multi-faceted, it is crucial to involve schools and educators in the conversation.  Thanks to programs and legislation that directly impact how schools can be involved in helping children manage this disease, it is hopeful that a decrease in absenteeism among students will prevail.   

Joy B. Krieger, RN, MA

Executive Director

ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, ST. LOUIS CHAPTER ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER RISING LEADERS CLASS

ST. LOUIS, MO – The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter (AAFA-STL) announced its inaugural 2016 Rising Leaders class, consisting of a diverse group of young professionals in the region.  The seven individuals selected for the program will be working closely with AAFA-STL’s development team and board committees to offer a new perspective to AAFA-STL leadership.  Additionally, the inaugural class of Rising Leaders will have the opportunity to be mentored by AAFA-STL board members and will learn about non-profit operations and leadership. 

Rising Leaders is a select group of energetic and collaborative individuals who are passionate about healthcare, interested in making an impact in the St. Louis asthma and allergy community, and excited to learn about the non-profit space. The mission of the Rising Leaders program is “to become the next generation of leaders who impact the asthma and allergy community through service, collaboration and innovation.” 

The 2016 Rising Leaders Class:

Amit Bery, MD – Resident Physician, Barnes Jewish Hospital

Justin King – Clinical Research Program Manager, Washington University School of Medicine

Victoria Ly – Student and Medical Scribe, Washington University in St. Louis (Public Health)

Megan Salkeld – Quality Improvement Coordinator, Queen of Peace Center

Neem Serra – Software Developer, Asynchrony

Jamie Simpher – Copywriter, 2e Creative

Ruby Varghese – Student, St. Louis University (Public Health)

"We are very excited to see the ideas that will come out of this inaugural group of Rising Leaders, which will help our team at AAFA-STL find new ways to further fulfill our mission and better serve asthma and allergy clients in the Greater St. Louis area,” said Abby Cohen, Co-Founder of Sparo Labs and Rising Leaders Chairperson. 

More information can be found at aafastl.org/risingleaders.

Are you (or is someone you know)...

Energetic and collaborative-minded? Passionate about health care initiatives? Interested in making an impact in the St. Louis asthma and allergy community? Excited to contribute to a leading non-profit?!

Apply NOW for AAFA-STL's Rising Leaders Program!

As a Rising Leader, you will:

• Access behind-the-scenes operations of a non-profit 
• Receive mentorship from current AAFA-STL Board members 
• Shape the Rising Leaders Program for future classes of leaders 
• Bring a new perspective to AAFA-STL leadership and committees 
• Help AAFA-STL fulfill its mission and execute its strategic plan 

Don't just take our word for it...
"As a St. Louis med-tech entrepreneur, I am proud to be involved in such an innovative, non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping St. Louis children breathe better. AAFA STL is constantly evaluating new ways to further fulfill their mission. The Rising Leader Program is a selective group of young professionals that will bring a new perspective to the organization and have the opportunity to be exposed to the board-level operations of a growing non-profit organization.”
-Abby Cohen, Co-Founder of Sparo Labs and Rising Leaders Chairperson

Applications will be accepted through 5pm on Monday, February 29!

Q's?: Email or call Amy Trapp
314-645-2422 x 6Apply: aafastl.org/risingleaders