Thursday, June 23, 2016

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

Friday, June 3, 2016

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.