Asthma Hot Topics and Press Releases
NEW! Asthma in Minnesota: 2012 Epidemiology Report
The Minnesota Department of Health Asthma Program is pleased to announce the release of the 2012 Asthma in Minnesota epidemiology report.
New in this report are data on quality of care for asthma using the recently developed optimal asthma care measure. The report also includes data on asthma prevalence, tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposures from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey, county-specific rates of asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and updates on Minnesota's progress toward meeting Healthy People goals.
You can access the report by clicking here.
Minnesota Asthma Alliance Summit
May 12, 2011 Presentations!
We are pleased to announce that the slide sets for the presentations and a summary of the working sessions are available on-line. You can access them by clicking here.
Asthma-Related Flu Information
Most people who get the seasonal flu will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks. People with asthma are at high risk for flu-related complications that can result in being hospitalized and occasionally may result death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications, and people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu.
Flu shots are our strongest defense against the flu but there are other important preventative actions you can take to prevent the spread of the flu such as:
- Stay home when you are sick;
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then throw the tissue away. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder not your bare hand;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (germs are spread that way).
In addition to receiving flu vaccine people with asthma should have an updated asthma action plan developed by their health care provider for daily treatment and control of worsening symptoms. Parents of children with asthma should ensure that an updated asthma action plan is on file at their child’s school and that the plan and medications are readily accessible if needed.
For more flu information specific to people with asthma go to:
- CDC website with flu vaccine information.
- CDC website on flu vaccine for people with asthma.
- MN Department of Health website with general information on seasonal flu, and flu vaccines.
- Federal Flu website with information on the flu for individuals and families with health conditions.
SCHSAC-May 18, 2007
Asthma powerpoint presentation at May 18, 2007, SCHSAC Meeting at Snelling Office Park. This presentation features both asthma resources developed by MDH and information regarding how Washington County adapted these resources for its asthma initiative, "Catching Our Breath."
(PowerPoint: 380MB/39 slides)
(PDF: 1.17MB/39 slides)